Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Amendments Nos. 9 and 10 attempt to achieve something similar. Amendment No. 9 is the first significant amendment to the Bill, as drafted. As indicated on Second Stage, the Government decided in April that the VHI should become an insurer authorised by the Financial Regulator by the end of 2008. As stated at that time, the Government does not believe it is in the interests of either the VHI or the health insurance market that its anomalous status as an unauthorised entity should continue for any longer than necessary.

In April the Government agreed that the Departments of Finance and Health and Children should seek specialist advice on how the VHI could be authorised by the end of 2008. The consultants are due to produce a report for the two Departments by the end of this month. Following receipt and consideration of the report, we will, in turn, provide a report to Government before the end of December. The Government is determined that the VHI should be authorised by the end of 2008 and the provision provides accordingly. It seems prudent to allow, in what will be the new section 2(5)(b)(ii), limited latitude to provide for situations where it is not possible to achieve this objective by the specified date, but only where there are good and sufficient reasons.