Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy MacSharry has raised this matter vociferously on a number of occasions. While I acknowledge the wait has been long for sufferers of cystic fibrosis, what the Minister for Health has done here is quite visionary, in that it is a first in Europe. I hope this process can be followed through with other drugs companies and that we will have portfolios of drugs giving certainty and stability to those who suffer from a range of challenges. That will provide them with the best emotional support in the challenge that they face.

I would like to thank young Aisling, who I met at the protest in Sligo. She presented me with a letter on behalf of all of those who attended who face the challenge of cystic fibrosis. For them and for users of Kalydeco, today is an important day. I hope that from 1 May it will bring an enhanced quality of life for all those people around the country.

I ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to comment on the process that Deputy MacSharry referred to.

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