Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

The Government cannot do other than what it is doing. Without community rating and risk equalisation, the private insurance market would be cherry-picked. The Government has responded with alacrity to ensure affordable health insurance is available to the old and the sick. The abolition of the three year exemption will make it possible for new entrants to come into the market, it will level the playing field.

Having listened to the debate in the other House, it is clear to me that the level of private insurance premium in this country compares favourably with that obtaining elsewhere. This is the only way the Government can go and it is a responsible reaction to a situation that threatens affordable insurance for the old and the sick.