Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State and welcome him to the House to go through what are effectively the Final Stages of this Bill. The amendments being discussed today have been subject to a good debate in the Dáil and clarify a number of issues which we have already discussed in this House.

The Bill essentially obliges us to comply with EU law. It is looking at the issues of solvency requirements, competitiveness and effectively creating a more equal playing field in health insurance. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State's comments on recent developments where we have seen Hibernian becoming involved in this area and taking over VIVAS. What will be the implications of this in terms of the changing role of the VHI?

The Government has essentially been under pressure from the Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Charlie McCreevy, and EU regulation in this area. Court action was threatened if certain action was not taken in respect of the VHI and there was a threat that the Government would be pursued. Given the changes brought about by this Bill, does the Minister of State now believe this threat has gone completely?

In respect of the points raised in the Dáil and Seanad, has the VHI moved to bring everything in order so that it meets the point just made by the Minister of State? Does he expect it to be fully regulated by the end of the year? The Minister put in a date as a result of some of the points previously raised in the Seanad. Could the Minister of State clarify this?