Health Insurance Bill timing
The Deputy urges postponing the Health Insurance Bill debate until after a Health Insurance Authority report, arguing that market deterioration makes an informed discussion necessary. The Taoiseach refuses to defer it, saying the Bill must be dealt with during the current session; the Chair closes the matter.
In early December the Health Insurance Authority is to publish a detailed report on the state of the health insurance market in this country, but we are due to have a debate on the Health (Amendment) Bill which will be before the Dáil this week. Would it be possible to shelve that debate until such time as we have had a detailed discussion on foot of the analysis by the Health Insurance Authority because of the fragility of the health insurance market? More than 6,000 people a month are leaving the private health insurance market. We would, therefore, be discussing the Bill in a vacuum. Will the Taoiseach consider parking it, given that he is in such a good mood for clamping?
Comment on this
No, the Bill is on the Order Paper for debate this week and the debate has to be finished before the end of the session.
Comment on this
It does not. The legislation will only come into effect in March.
Comment on this
Asking the Minister to park the Bill is not a solution. The House will have to deal with it.
Comment on this
The Bill will not come into effect until March. We could have the debate in February following a full detailed analysis to be carried out by the HIA.
Comment on this
That completes the Order of Business. I am sorry, but we are not having a debate on the issue.