Opposition parties blame Harney for fiasco

BLAME for the risk equalisation fiasco was laid squarely at embattled Health Minister Mary Harney’s door by scornful opposition parties last night.

Fine Gael accused the minister of presiding over a series of “blunders” which had now thrown 1.6 million policy holders into uncertainty, while Labour warned of big price hikes for VHI users.

FG health spokesman James Reilly insisted Ms Harney should take personal responsibility for the Supreme Court striking down of the risk equalisation scheme.