Today, families have read reports that they face another major hike in their health insurance premiums. This will lead to more of them leaving insurance companies and plans because of an inability to pay. The Government made a commitment to the introduction of universal health insurance, but what is happening is contrary to the development of such a proposition, even if one did not like it. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the White Paper on health insurance is to be published and when the legislation required to progress the universal health insurance agenda, as contained in the programme for Government, will be pursued?

I cannot give the Deputy an accurate date. I read that story today, but at this stage it is purely speculative. The Minister for Health has not been informed and has no knowledge of any such hike in premium rates. The Minister has consistently raised the issue of costs with health insurers-----

Does the Taoiseach know anything?

-----and is obviously determined to keep these costs down. The Deputy asked when the legislation would be published. I cannot give him a date for its publication.