Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that the entire process was extraordinarily unedifying. This kind of back-and-forth spat is not the way that things should happen. I do not agree that there has been a delay in terms of the provision of funding between July and 1 November next, the date on which these drugs will be available. I can reassure the Deputy that this is not the cause of the delay and that there is adequate funding this year, from the relevant date in July onwards, to fund those drugs. The process has taken too long. I do not want to talk about individual cases - I am sure the Deputy does not wish to do so either - but there are a couple of cases that are sensitive and time-sensitive in nature. A number of people and parties are working hard to see if interim solutions can be reached in respect of those.