Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. We all deeply sympathise with the family of Laura Newell. The purpose of this discussion is to ask what can be done about it and how can we prevent it happening again. Her sister talked to me about what happened in Australia. That country banned over-the-counter painkiller medication in 2018 and it has worked for that country. It has not caused many of the problems that the people there thought it might cause. I would like to hear, if not today but certainly very soon, that this Government will examine this issue and look at the possibility of doing that.

When I was a Member of the European Parliament, I chaired the pain group and we were involved with the WHO in ensuring that for the first time two years ago pain was seen as a disease in its own right as distinct from a symptom of another disease. One of the issues we face is that pain management is woefully under-resourced in this country.

A two-pronged approach is needed. I hope the Tánaiste can give me some positive indication that he will consider that.

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