Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Each year, the independent rapporteur on child protection launches a report and provides it to the Government. My understanding is that the report is provided to the relevant Minister in January. It is now almost the end of September, but we are still waiting for the publication before the Houses of the 2013 report. When will the report be put before the Houses and when will Members of the Dáil and Seanad have an opportunity to discuss its contents?

My second question is on the health service amendment legislation with particular reference to the early-access programme for patients suffering with hepatitis C. There are new direct-acting anti-viral drugs which will sustain patients who are contaminated through no fault of their own with hepatitis C. Ours is one of the few countries in Europe which is not providing these drugs to patients. When will we have an opportunity to have the legislation brought before the House so the Minister can direct the HSE to provide these drugs to critically ill patients?

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