Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Mechanisms are available to Deputies, such as Private Members' business, for considering matters. I am not in a position to accede to the request made by Deputy Gilmore. It is up to Members to use the procedures of the House in that respect. In regard to the matters he raised, we have as part of our arrangements for a revised medical card scheme provided for a group which will meet under Dr. Barry, who is an expert in this area, to consider future drug usage. This is being done in the context of consistency in patient care. The people involved will, of course, be duly qualified to consider these matters, which should not be portrayed in the way they have been by the Deputy.

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