James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely, that will be done.
On other issues raised and as to when the statute will be signed, the Minister of State, Deputy White, will address that, as this is his area of competence. However, he has my 100% support with regard to legalising this product for the relief of spasticity in those who suffer with multiple sclerosis, MS.
Deputy Catherine Byrne raised the issue of the nicotine replacement patches for people in pregnancy. Obviously, there are issues in this regard in respect of competing demands for funding. It certainly is one towards which I would be well disposed and have been considering, but it needs to be discussed further in the Department. I acknowledge the Deputy has raised this matter a number of times. As for the last issue regarding assisted human reproduction, a lot of work has been done within the Department on this subject. A child and family relations Bill will be coming soon and this will form part of it. However, it is a complex area because it is not simply about in vitrofertilisation, IVF, but also concerns the issue of surrogacy, which is a landmine area at present. It is a very complex area that also has all sorts of international complications associated with it. Certainly, something will be submitted to the Government in respect of the assisted human reproduction and IVF elements later this year.