New firm to enter health insurance market today

A new entrant into the Irish health insurance market is due to be launched later today.

Vivas will compete with the VHI and BUPA and could lead to reductions in premiums for certain types of cover.

The company is headed by former VHI chief executive Oliver Tattan and is backed by financier Dermot Desmond.

It also has the backing of Allied Irish Bank, which will be able to use its branch network to sell Vivas products.