David Norris (Independent)

I agree strongly with everything Senator Brian Hayes has said. The situation concerning BUPA is serious, but I am not surprised the Competition Authority came in late in the day. Did it not miss one of its own deadlines? I sincerely hope the Government will scrutinise the recommendations carefully. They were reluctant to come on the radio today to defend the situation that is mooted, whereby the VHI could be split up into four segments. My colleague, Professor Seán Barrett of Trinity College, who is a former candidate for the Dublin University Seanad panel, was extremely good on RTE today, although it galls me to say so. He said the splitting up of the VHI would be like creating four Aer Lingus companies. It is absolutely daft. Professor Barrett suggested that the problem might have been solved if BUPA had a dedicated telephone line which referred 25% of older patients to the VHI. It is a simple and practical measure. This matter should not be ideologically driven, however. At the end of the day, patients' care should be at the heart of the matter.

I know and respect Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan. The community is extremely lucky to have two such dignified, gracious and well advised women to take this case. It comes as something of a relief that I was contacted only once by a radio station yesterday, and its representative did not bother to ring back for my views. I was not quoted in any of the newspapers, which to my mind shows the growing maturity of this society.