A company providing mobile MRI scanning services has settled its High Court action against the VHI arising from the latter's refusal to list or approve the company's services.
Mr Michael Collins SC, for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Ireland Ltd (MRI Ireland), told Mr Justice Kearns yesterday the sides had reached an agreement.
MRI Ireland had claimed the VHI, having more than 80 per cent of the private healthcare market, had abused its dominant position and affected the conditions of competition in the market for MRI scanning services in Ireland. It sought an order directing the VHI to include it in its directory of VHI approved service providers.
The VHI had denied being a monopoly purchaser of healthcare services, and argued it was entitled in deciding whether to enter into an agreement to have regard to cost, nature, quality and extent of any health service or goods offered.
Doctor's challenge on spectacles fails
A Co Kildare doctor yesterday lost his High Court challenge to sections of the 1956 Opticians Act which restricted the sale of reading glasses. Dr Andrew Rynne, Prosperous, and his company, Easy Readers Ltd brought their action in December 2002 challenging legislation which has since been amended.
Mr Justice Smyth said Dr Rynne knew of the restrictions in the 1956 Act but had not waited for the amending legislation.