The Minister for Health Mary Harney has said insurance company Axa is in talks with the Government regarding plans to enter the health insurance market as a replacement for Bupa Ireland.
Minister Harney said she would expect BUPA to facilitate an orderly transfer of its business to AXA Insurance, which has expressed an interest in taking over the company.
This afternoon the Minister met officials of AXA and said that the company had first approached BUPA in October.
She said she would be establishing a review group this week, to report on whether the current market regulations make the health insurance sector viable.
The chief executive of Axa Ireland earlier today said the company is in discussions about entering the health insurance market here.
John O'Neill said Axa was in 'delicate and confidential' discussions with the Department of Health and BUPA about taking over from BUPA, which has said it is withdrawing from the Irish market.
