Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I should have said earlier that Deputy Aylward has sent his apologies for his absence. With respect, the Minister of State's reply is a load of nonsense. We know about the women with cervical cancer. We are all well aware the medicine is not one on trial or that has not been approved by the HSE. It is available for a number of types of cancer but not for the cancer John Holmes has, which has been diagnosed as a metastatic neo-endocrine tumour. He has been forced to fundraise for the drug and the HSE can see that the drug is working. Providing access to the drug makes sense. It is available through the HSE for other cancer patients and has been clinically shown to work. What is preventing John Holmes from accessing it?

We need an urgent meeting with the Minister. Common sense is needed but it is utterly lacking. All the scripts and paperwork being presented to deal with the matter do not do so. The campaign group has been in contact with the Minister and has requested a meeting, as has Deputy McGuinness on our behalf. It is important the matter is not kicked down the road. I know how the House operates, where in two months we will be speaking about the same issue. The man in question does not have that time and we need a commitment this week that we will have a meeting with the Minister.

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