Ms Harney would not speculate on the outcome of the deliberations, but she said it was being planned for inclusion in the Finance Bill in a fortnight's time. The Irish Independent reported yesterday that the Government is planning radical changes to tax breaks on health insurance premiums as it tries to avert the threat of a huge rise in premiums for older people. The move follows last July's Supreme Court ruling that the risk-equalisation system designed to even out premiums was based on an erroneous interpretation of the legislation.

"Unfortunately as a result of that decision there are huge question marks over community rating and the Government is committed to using whatever mechanism we can to make sure that we maintain community rating so that older and sicker people can afford health insurance," she said.

Ms Harney added the Government does provide tax relief for health insurance, which costs about €350m a year.