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

I do not want to burden the Department with the challenges connected to this legislation or by bringing witnesses from the Department before the committee on a regular basis. I assume there is an acceptance that we need to have transparency in view of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act in the United States and the fact that countries in Europe have either drafted or passed legislation. It is on statute in some countries in the European Union so there is an acceptance around it. The Chairman, Ms Jackson, Mr. Lennon and Deputy Durkan were right. We do not want to stifle or put obstacles in the way of the creative genius in research and development in medicine, medicinal devices and pharmaceuticals. When I was Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I saw the innovation that comes from the collaborative work of academia, clinicians and the industry. I do not want to stymie it. A transparency clause or legislation would unburden people. They could embrace industry and get really involved with it knowing it is upfront and transparent and that anyone can inspect it. The last thing we need is for people to go through back doors and carry out research without transparency.