Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Yesterday's decision by BUPA effectively to pull out of Ireland represents a black day, not least for the staff in Fermoy, County Cork, but also for the approximately 470,000 people who invested in BUPA and who depended on the company for their health insurance. I do not underestimate the difficulties for the Government, the Minister for Health and Children and for the country at large in terms of resolving the issue of risk equalisation. However, I hope we can resolve it ourselves before it is resolved by the European Commission. If we are serious about competitiveness and introducing the best possible range of products in the health insurance market for all consumers, we must ultimately deal with the issue of risk equalisation. It remains to be seen whether that means a break up of the VHI. On the day BUPA made its decision, we heard that the Competition Authority will soon submit a report on this matter to the Minister for Health and Children, but it is a bit late in the day. We have known for some time that this issue was going to come to a head. It was established in the High Court that this would happen. BUPA is on record as stating this matter would have to be addressed because it could not cover the liability. I ask the Leader to arrange for statements for an hour at the end of our proceedings today, although I know my colleague Senator Bradford has tabled an Adjournment motion on the issue. The House needs to debate this matter, which is of great concern.

For the past ten years, I have known Dr.Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan in my community. They are exceptional people. In the past year they have taken an exceptional case before the High Court and I note the result. The judge said that legislation has never been introduced to bring about equality for cohabiting couples, but that is not the case. Legislation has been introduced but did not go through this House because the Government has not brought forward its own proposals on rights for cohabiting couples. For the past two years, this issue has been raised by Senators Terry, Norris and others. We should agree to resolve this issue once and for all in the next session.