Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. Obviously, I would prefer if the Minister were here. I appreciate the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, and I acknowledge that she is doing her best. Tomorrow, I have to go to the funeral of a young man and father of three children in Clonmel. He was trying to get on this drug, but unfortunately he never made it. May he rest in peace.

The issue is that the health technology assessment, HTA, for the drug will take two years. Too many women and men in this country will be affected by that timeline. Consultants are willing to administer the drug. The company that produces it is based in Carlow. The drug is available here and there is a test that would determine whether it would give the people affected quality of life or a chance. We cannot tell these people who want a chance that they can wait two years because of all the rules and regulations that are necessary. They do not have time. It costs €8,500 for a three week shot of this drug and €2,000 for the test to be done. People want the chance to spend the €2,000 and have the test. I beg the Minister of State.

Vicky Phelan said on the "Ray D'Arcy Show" that she had to fight tooth and nail to get on this drug and only for her persistence that would not have happened. She is alive and has quality of life. I want the Government to work with this company and the people who need this drug to give them some hope in the same way that Vicky Phelan has given so many people hope. I stress the inequity involved in paying for this drug for the women affected by the scandalous CervicalCheck issue, while having other people outside that. It is not legal to discriminate between people, notwithstanding that it is morally right to treat these women and give them as much as possible. I urge the Minister of State to give the people affected hope, consider this drug, approach the company, consider the trial and some sort of system quickly, given the impact we know this drug has had on some people's lives, particularly Vicky Phelan's.

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