Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the statements of sympathy for the Breen and Buchanan families and the praise for Judge Smithwick. I also welcome the measured response by the Minister of Justice in Northern Ireland, David Ford. I am sure that the very good working relationship between him and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Deputy Shatter, will serve us all.

Will the Leader clarify whether yet again the Department of Health is refusing to implement an EU directive on health insurance, dating back to 1992? According to reports on the radio we are seeking yet another year’s derogation. In this sector between 2008 and 2012 premiums went up by 56%, and 250,000 people have given up health insurance. We subscribe to the principles of open enrolment, community rating lifetime cover but the Department is interested in protecting its in-house company, the VHI. It is not working. Health insurance is a financial service and should be regulated accordingly. There is not a separate Exchequer for the Department of Health. The present policy is postponing the day when the Government moves towards universal health insurance. Will the Leader clarify if the Department of Health is yet again postponing a decision that the Commission asked it to make in 1992, which has been endorsed by the European Court and has been in the Supreme Court here? When will the Department wake up to the damage that it is doing to the health insurance sector in Ireland?

Treatments that take 10.6 days here and cost €1,500 per night per bed can be done in 3.7 days elsewhere. There is huge waste which a competing health insurance company could help to eliminate. It is more procrastination and it has been going on so long that I do not blame the Minister for this; rather, it is the corporate culture in the Department of Health that wants VHI to always be protected from more efficient new entrants.