James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

In a week when the Minister for Health and Children told us that she intends to cut somewhere between €600 million and €1 billion off the health budget, can the Taoiseach tell us when he will bring in the drugs reference pricing Bill? This was supposed to come in at the beginning of the year, along with the prescription charges Bill, but it has now been put on the long finger until some time in 2011. Can the Taoiseach provide a more accurate timeframe for this? When we are seeking savings, these are the areas that we should examine, rather than hurting front line services, patients and patient care.

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