Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Naughten. As this is, as he has mentioned, his last contribution on Leaders' Questions, I will commend him on his years of service in this House since he won that by-election in 1997. Whether in government or in opposition, as he is now, I have always found him to be an excellent and constructive colleague. First and foremost, he has the well-being of his constituents at heart but he has also driven a number of matters, including this one. He will know that we, as his colleagues, have been thinking of him over the last week or so. I wish him and his family the very best in the period to come.

Deputy Naughten has put forward very clearly how we can scale up the implementation of that ambition. We have some of the very best people, clinicians and researchers. In many areas, Ireland is at the cutting edge of research. The clinical trial piece really helps to extend that further. In July of this year, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, established a national clinical trials oversight group. This is developing recommendations on increasing the number of trials taking place in Ireland and improving patients' access to participation in such clinical trials. Those recommendations will be important. The Minister and the Department of Health have told me that the interim recommendations are imminent. We all agree on how important this area is. It will be for all of us to ensure that the interim recommendations are implemented and moved on as expeditiously as possible.

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