James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

At a time when we are seeing massive health cuts across the country, with waiting lists doubled, people lying on trolleys and nearly 20,000 cancelled operations, can the Taoiseach explain why, when I asked when the drug prescription Bill and the drug reference pricing Bill would come in, he said that they would happen on the one finger when I suggested he was putting them on the long finger? The drugs prescription legislation has been introduced and it might save €20 million, but it hurts the oldest, sickest and most vulnerable in our society. The drug reference pricing Bill, which could save hundreds of millions of euro, is now no longer to be taken this year, but some time in 2011. When will it happen in 2011 and why is it not being taken in this session?

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