Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

During the foot and mouth epidemic in the UK, satisfactory arrangements were put in place to ensure no contamination came from the UK or vice versa. There did not seem to be any great backlogs at ports or airports. It was done efficiently and effectively. I presume cognisance has been taken of that to put something comparable in place now.

I will move on very quickly to the supply of drugs. I have listened to some of our colleagues in the UK predicting a doomsday situation for this country after the UK leaves. To what extent has the Department considered their views? Are there any particular drugs or range of drugs that might be controlled to an extraordinary extent by third countries? That is what the UK will become. What has been our experience in dealing directly with third countries heretofore regarding compliance and availability? How are generic drugs likely to be affected? I presume that has been examined.

On access to healthcare for children, in the run up to the provision of our own new national children's hospital, what arrangements are in place with third countries? I refer to the UK and others. To what degree is remuneration readily available? We can still do that after Brexit. Will Mr. Breslin, however, give us some indication of the other countries besides the UK with which we have such arrangements? My understanding is that any bilateral arrangements require EU approval because we are, and will remain, a part of the EU. I would like some clarification on that issue, just in case we find ourselves in some kind of a cul-de-sac at a later stage.