James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

That may well be the case but there is a frustration at the Government's lack of ability to deliver the services it is obliged to.

The reference pricing for drugs Bill is listed as No. 71 on the Government's legislative programme and will not be taken this session. When I raised this legislation before, the Taoiseach informed me it and the Prescription Charges Bill, No. 9 on the programme, would be introduced at the same time. Clearly, this will not be the case. The message we get again is that legislation which may save only €20 million while hurting chronically ill and vulnerable people on medical cards will be taken first while the reference pricing for drugs Bill which could save the country badly needed hundreds of millions of euro is put on the long finger to be taken in the autumn or even later. Will the Taoiseach inform us when these Bills will be brought to the House?

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