Further to a complaint by BUPA, the European Union's Competition Directorate General is considering a detailed submission made by my Department. This submission makes the case for the necessity of risk equalisation in a market operated on the basis of community rating, open enrolment and lifetime cover, and that it does not constitute state aid under EU competition rules. It remains my Department's aim to obtain an early decision from the Directorate General on the latest complaint and complete the risk equalisation regulatory framework immediately thereafter. It is contending to the Directorate General that it maintain its previously expressed view that risk equalisation does not give rise to particular state aid concerns.