John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I acknowledge and respect the concerns expressed by Senators about the increase in the costs of private health insurance. However, to accept the Senator's viewpoint would fillet the Bill and prevent the proper functions of the tax system. The increases implemented by insurers reflect the issue of medical inflation and, more importantly, the absence of intergenerational solidarity. The overall impact on the market will remain neutral. In acting on an interim level, it protects those generational concerns, as well as taking medical inflation into account. Senator Quinn spoke on that specific aspect and posed the question as to what would happen if the opposite of medical inflation occurred. The fact remains, however, that that is the purpose of it.

The amount being paid in levies is being paid out in tax credits. I am unable to answer the question about how the elderly who may have no tax credits can be recompensed. I will try to come back to the Senator on that before the debate ends.