Yes, with the agreement of the House. It is only right to acknowledge the Government giving the time to discuss the motion here today. It shows the seriousness with which it takes this issue.

At the outset, I acknowledge the work of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland and that of its CEO, Mr. Joe Mooney. It is also only right to acknowledge that much work is done behind the scenes by a guy named Mr. Jimmy Mooney and the Lafferty family, who live close to him, on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They have been fighting a long battle trying to get funding for this worthy cause.

This issue, no different from any other disability issue, is close to the Tánaiste's heart. She has been working on it for quite some time. Even this morning she had meetings with the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney and the Minister, Deputy Harney, and work is ongoing on the matter. In Donegal, Mr. Charlie McConlogue is very much keeping the Tánaiste's and my attention on the matter on a regular basis. They are working on protocols and trying to alleviate difficulties that existed in getting funding to this worthy cause. I am aware that the Tánaiste attended meetings with those involved in the Imperial College, London and look forward to a positive outcome.

As has been outlined by Deputies here this morning, decisions will be made on funding in June. I take comfort from the fact that guarantees have been given to MDI that there is no upper limit to the co-funding that could be allocated internationally, and the assessment criteria that will be used by the panel were outlined to MDI as well. They are - it must be excellent high-quality science; it must be innovative; it must have a relevance and impact on the disease; and the expertise must be from a research environment. There was a fairly thorough meeting between the HRB and Mr. Mooney. I am confident that the Ministers involved, and the Tánaiste, are doing all in their power to ensure that adequate funding is provided for this worthy cause and work will continue in that regard.

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