Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests. I have been following some of the meeting. There are a few meetings coinciding this morning so forgive me if some of my questions repeat what others have asked.

I will take up where my colleague, Deputy Colm Burke, left off on cystic fibrosis and Kaftrio. These 35 children, last month, in the age-six-to-11 category were due to receive this drug and the floor has collapsed from under them. They have had their blood test and were anticipating this. Given the age category these children belong to, most had a full awareness of what was ahead of them and of the new lease of life this miraculous drug would have given them. I have met with many of the families and they are devastated that there is a delay and procrastination.

I think there is a bit of detail the witnesses could give us today. They have said they will respond in writing but can they account for the delay and what the Department is doing?