Rushed law will backfire on customers

THE uncertainty pervading Ireland’s health-insurance market has given way to a profound sense of relief for tens of thousands of former BUPA customers and its 300 workers.

They will warmly welcome businessman Sean Quinn’s surprise reaction to Government emergency legislation aimed at closing a loophole in the law, effectively preventing him from saving tens of millions of euro every year by avoiding risk equalisation payments to VHI.

His willingness to proceed with the BUPA takeover is the best of news for almost half a million subscribers and ex-BUPA staff in Fermoy who found themselves in a limbo scenario yet again.