Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

How long ago was it called? Do we have a few minutes? I would just like to say that I have spoken to the Minister and I believe he is very supportive of this. I also believe that the correct procedures must be followed. We do not want any child or adult to have some sort of catastrophic event. The authority's role is to safeguard the supply of medicines and to regulate them. We depend on that and we must respect that. I believe the Minister is very supportive of this. I understand that it is probably not very helpful to Ms Twomey when she is dealing with a sick child but I believe a shift is taking place and there are many people within my own party who are quite open to this happening. I will support it in whatever way possible. Having said that, I always will be against the quick authorisation or the fast-tracking of anything. We are administering drugs to children and adults and we need to be mindful of the side-effects of drugs and the catastrophic effects of the overuse or misuse of drugs. I am sorry that I must leave.