Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

You will be happy to hear I will not take the full six minutes, a Chathaoirleach Gníomhach. I thank the Minister of State for coming in and outlining the Bill. As she said, it is a technical Bill that we debate annually. The community rating, which is a central tenet of private health insurance in Ireland, is important. It is great she has outlined the various changes to support the community rating system we operate. It is in direct contrast to other jurisdictions wherein sicker and older people pay astronomical prices for private health insurance. Some 47% of people in Ireland are privately insured for their health needs. It is about giving people choice and putting forward a good public system and health insurance system for those who choose it, while also being able to access the public health system, if they so choose. I look forward to all Stages of the Bill being completed today.