Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. Mr. Woods referred to the genomics issue stating that the committee is set up and so on. I understand we have one specialist in that area per 700,000 of population in the Republic whereas in Northern Ireland it is one per 285,000. This has a significant benefit for the health sector. If we are at that stage here, how long before we could get to a ratio of one to 285,000 the same as Northern Ireland? Obviously, a plan has to be put in place. We have to get the people trained and with the experience, but I presume that will take time. Has any indication been given as to when we can get to the same ratio?

The second issue I want to touch on is the Benelux agreement with the six countries together working with the pharmaceutical industry to try to come to an agreement on various issues about a drug being made available. What is the medical connectivity between the six member states? Is there any work being done on that? To a large extent Ireland has been very much attached to the UK when it comes medical development. With the UK out of the European Union, is there a need to focus on working with those other five countries from a European point of view as regards the European Medicines Agency, Europe going forward, trying to get the best price for drugs and getting drugs them at an earlier date?