BUPA workers to demonstrate as Martin visits Fermoy

BUPA workers in Fermoy are due to mount a demonstration today outside a meeting between Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin and local community representatives.

The meeting has been arranged following last week's decision by the health insurer to exit the Irish market following the introduction of risk equalisation.

BUPA staff want Mr Martin to persuade his government colleagues to drop the risk equalisation scheme, which would force the company to pay millions of euro to its main competitor the VHI.

However, Minister for Health Mary Harney has already insisted that risk equalisation is necessary to protect the situation where everybody pays the same health insurance premiums, regardless of age and health status.

She says elderly and sick people would never be able to afford health insurance without this protection.