Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to be obstructive in terms of the passage of the Bill but the only way we can make our point is by tabling an amendment and having it discussed. We put down these amendments not just based on individuals. Highly eminent professional clinicians have stated to us that they have major concerns about this legislation and the effect it may have on sufferers of epilepsy who have normalised their lives with the drug they are on currently. That is critically important because the Bills Office, in effect, has not understood the import of our legislation. We are not saying there is a difficulty with a generic drug. It is clear that some sufferers of epilepsy are on generic drugs but they are the ones that are suitable for stabilising their condition. We are not calling on the Minister of State to accept the amendments based on his having to give generic drugs. We are saying that whatever drug has been beneficial in terms of stabilising people's conditions and stopping them from having seizures from time to time should be the one that is used. That is clearly different from what the Bills Office is saying.