Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

As I indicated in my comments, the purpose of Senator Fitzgerald's amendment has been encompassed in the amendment I have tabled. Amendment No. 9 deals with the date issue, which is to be by the end of 2008, quite an onerous date in many respects. The intention originally was by 2012, so we have effectively brought it back by three full years, and I believe that will be onerous on VHI. In all the circumstances, particularly as regards fair competition in this market, other major benefits of the VHI are being authorised, as far as consumers are concerned, under the supervision of the Financial Regulator, which I may deal with later, and so on.