Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thus far the European Union has spent approximately €135 billion in support of the Ukrainian effort. While it is premature, I am just wondering if the Commission has considered, similar to the US, the thought of a repayment plan or indeed any type of cross-investment or resource access? It is premature but, in light of the conversations vis-à-vis tariffs and the pending uncertainty of future trade with the US, I would imagine we are thinking in terms of a wider interdependency and movement of funding from member states collectively.

I ask the Minister of State to pardon my naivety or ignorance in my second question. There are different agendas for the different Council meetings. I am wondering how often the healthcare piece appears on the agenda. To cross-check that with the programme for Government, there is a stated objective for expansion and development in the area of orphan drugs and clinical trials. The legislation around that in this country dates back to 1986. While European legislation is a bit younger, it is an area that needs to be strengthened and modernised for Ireland to go down that route as a stated objective over the next five years.

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