Mr. John Hennessy:

Professor Barry has addressed stakeholder involvement. We have taken that point on board and there is work ongoing in the background to strengthen that.

Deputy Murphy O'Mahony asked if there is a funding issue and whether we need more funding. Everybody would say yes to more funding. However, no matter how many resources are available, most people would accept that new products still have to pass an effectiveness test. There will always be competing demands for health care resources for well-proven and established treatments. Members know those demands as well as I do, and they include measures such as home care packages, hip replacements and scoliosis surgery. I could go on with that list. There are endless demands on funding and resources always have to be prioritised on the basis of proven technologies.

Where the evidence is good in respect of new products and medicines in terms of clinical benefits, our track record is very good on getting those approved and reimbursed. Where the evidence is not as solid or established and prices are very high, a product or medicine will have a more difficult passage.

Deputy Kelleher mentioned the rare diseases plan and I am aware there is a steering group in place between the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the Department of Health to implement the recommendations. There is a clinical lead in place. I might arrange a more full report or update on the implementation of the rare diseases plan to the committee at a later stage if that is okay.