Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that the VHI does not extend the scope of its functions beyond those in which it already engages until after authorisation is secured. I referred earlier to the peculiar position which the board currently occupies as an unauthorised entity with a derogation from prudential regulation. It is the view of the Government that the VHI should not extend the scope of its activities any further until after authorisation. Senator Fitzgerald has tabled a number of amendments along the same lines as that under discussion.