Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That essentially has already been done. A long-term deal has been proposed and has gone through the drugs committee but no one has heard anything from the HSE or any other authorised State personnel on this issue since 3 February. Vertex has not received any response to the deal, as outlined by the Taoiseach, that it put on the table.

The offer is a long-term deal - I understand for ten years - covering Kalydeco and Orkambi and pipeline drugs that may be better than Orkambi. My point all along has been that, given the large number of people in Ireland with cystic fibrosis, we should be at the vanguard of this research and leading the charge on this issue. A month has passed since the offer was made. The Taoiseach described it in terms of what the Minister is seeking but it is what is being offered. Has the HSE directorate made a recommendation to the Government following the offer made more than a month ago? People have been waiting for too long and it is placing an intolerable strain on those who are living with cystic fibrosis and their families. The Taoiseach and every Member of the House knows that and there is an obligation to bring this matter to a conclusion.

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