Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Collins, who I know has a sincere interest in this and who has raised this issue on several occasions. I thank Deputy Kenny for his comments as well. It is, as Deputy Kenny, said, a rare enough occasion in this House when we can be unified in our desire to do good and to try to agree on what that looks like in terms of doing good. Providing certainty in terms of access to innovative medicine for patients with cystic fibrosis in this country is a good act.

I have many thoughts on the process in terms of how we negotiate drugs and international collaboration on drug companies. However, I do not believe today is the day for that. I would very much welcome a debate in the House on how we can improve the process and how we ensure we get the best outcome for our patients in the knowledge, ultimately, that the health services in this country and every other country, no matter how large the budget, have finite amounts of money. We should have that discussion and discuss how to keep patients up to date. We should discuss the lessons that can be learned from this process. That would be a worthwhile debate to have in the House and I would welcome it.

I will come back to Deputy Collins on her specific question. I am keen to get clarity on the point first. I do not intend to comment on any specific contractual issues because lawyers need to get involved on both sides. Contracts need to be exchanged and logistics need to be looked at. Ultimately, I need to bring this to Government for agreement at the next available opportunity after Easter. However, I did not want to have this news and allow us go to the Easter recess without sharing the information with patients and their families. I join the Deputies in thanking Cystic Fibrosis Ireland for its advocacy. I thank people like Jillian McNulty and Orla Tinsley. I thank the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and people who have contacted all of us. They were all unified by the same desire. They did not want to get caught up in a big political debate. They simply wanted what was best for their loved ones.

Now, we will get on with the process of finalising the arrangements of dealing with the important contractual elements. The message going out to Irish patients from Vertex and the HSE is that these medicines will be available to patients from next month.

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