Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The critical advice is the clinical assessment of the efficacy of the drugs in question. This is a proven science at this point in time. There is ample evidence across a number of EU countries as to the effectiveness of this drug.

There is a serious fault line in our insistence as a single entity - a State - on trying to engage with the drug distributor or manufacturer in this and many other cases when it is already being provided in a number of EU countries. In terms of the EU, we should be using the opportunities for collective engagement, purchase and distribution. This is not beyond the gift of this State and its representatives and would be welcomed in other EU member states. We should collectivise to our strength and in the interests of those for whom the effort will mean so much.

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