Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Crown raised the issue of the multiple sclerosis drug fampridine. Senator Colm Burke has pointed out that he raised this on the Adjournment recently and that the HSE is to reconsider a new application on the matter. Senator O'Brien has also raised this issue a number of times in the House, and it has been raised in the media. All of us have concerns about this. The HSE received an application for the inclusion of fampridine in the general medical services, GMS, and community drugs schemes. In accordance with normal procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics conducted an evaluation of fampridine and concluded that as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of fampridine in the Irish health care setting it was unable to recommend reimbursement of the product, which has led to the difficulty. However, the manufacturer may submit a new application at any time. As Senator Colm Burke has pointed out, it has submitted a revised application for fampridine and the HSE is reconsidering it in accordance with the agreed procedures and timescales. We all hope this matter will be resolved very swiftly for people with MS.

Senator Crown also raised the general HSE budget. I responded on that issue yesterday.

Senator Mooney referred to our relationship with the US and extended a welcome to the new US ambassador, Mr. Kevin O'Malley. We join Senator Mooney in that and in wishing all US citizens in Ireland a happy Fourth of July on Friday. Like Senator Mooney, I was very impressed by the performance of the US football team in the World Cup generally and particularly in the match against Belgium last night. The team fought really hard. It is great to see soccer becoming such a popular sport across the US in recent years.

Senator Mooney also asked me to raise with the Tánaiste the ongoing negotiations on the J1 graduate visa. I will write to the Tánaiste and ask him to ensure it is renewed this autumn.

Senator Naughton referred to the very welcome apology given yesterday by the Minister for Justice and Equality and the acting Garda Commissioner to the Roma families whose children were removed, and to the offer of compensation made by the Government. Like Senator Naughton, I commend the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, on her excellent report. I have read the recommendations section and some of the report, but I recommend that colleagues read it. It is harrowing reading. It is very difficult for a parent of young children to read about the way in which those children were removed and taken into care. Clearly, this is a matter on which the State owes those families a very sincere apology and compensation.

The recommendations in the report are hugely important, particularly regarding the use of section 12 by the Garda. I have acted in the Children's Court and in what is called the HSE court in respect of cases in which children are taken into care. The gardaí generally act in good faith and they do not tend to act unless there are real risks, but it would be great to have a proper review of the exercise of Garda powers more generally. This report and the two incidents raise serious concerns about ethnic profiling and the manner in which these radical powers of the Garda are exercised. As Senator Healy Eames pointed out, it is particularly disturbing to read about the seven year old girl who dyed her hair as a result of this. It is dreadful to think of what she went through away from her family for two days. I support the Government's apology to the families and I hope compensation will be paid swiftly to them. Of course, it cannot compensate them for what happened, which was dreadful.

Senator Naughton also welcomed the symphysiotomy scheme. I understand it will extend to approximately 350 women.

Senator Healy Eames also called for a general debate on policing with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald. I would prefer to have that debate in a couple of months. We are still working on this and the justice committee will be holding more hearings on policing. The committee has already made an interim set of recommendations on the GSOC reforms to be made and the Government has signed off on the heads of a Bill. It would be good to have a debate on policing in the autumn to examine what else must be done, particularly in light of the report on the Roma families.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the fampridine issue, to which I have responded.

Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke about prices for farmers in the bull beef crisis. This was also raised by Senator O'Neill yesterday, who referred to the prices of livestock generally. I said yesterday that I would invite the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to the House to discuss this matter and for a more general debate on farming. Senator Conway referred to the fulsome praise of the president of the IFA for the Minister, Deputy Coveney, which he expressed at the event in the Shelbourne Hotel yesterday. I was not at it but I am glad the Minister was praised for his excellent work with the agriculture portfolio. I also welcome Caroline Byrne, who is job-shadowing the Senator. The Senator also referred to the Good Friday Agreement. I believe the Senator's substantive point was to seek a debate on aviation and related industries with the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton. I will seek to arrange that debate.

Finally, Senator Bradford referred to the upward-only rent reviews, which I have dealt with.