Results 1-20 of 11,144 for speaker:Anne Rabbitte

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: I thank the Leader for being here today. I am going to raise an issue relating to an event that both he and I attended recently in Galway at Croí House. We met with Dr. Niamh Hannon and members of the Croí House about the future of cardiovascular health in Ireland. It was a very informative session that we attended. Among those present were some as young as 22 years of age who...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: The Taoiseach has shown not only strong leadership at home but a consistent and principled voice for peace on the world stage. From the beginning, Ireland, under his guidance, has taken a clear, firm stance on key international matters and we have not been silent or slow to act. The Taoiseach has ensured that Ireland's voice is heard, calling for peace, justice and respect in international...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: I apologise to our witnesses. The Taoiseach was in the Seanad. It only happens once in five years, so I could not leave. I apologise for being late. I have read their statement as they have been responding. I was really taken with the final remarks on accommodation. Coming from Galway, we have one of the largest Traveller populations in the country. I live four miles away from a...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: I thank Mr. Herrick. Absolutely.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: Before Mr. Herrick comes in, I will follow up on a point that has been made. If Tusla is not gathering the data, it is not playing a part in ensuring it is accurate. It has the toolkit to ensure it is factual, as opposed to it being anecdotal. Would Dr. Elliott agree that if this agency of the State co-operated, gave us that and played its role, we could at least look at education and the...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: I just want to say-----

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Human Rights and International Standards for Traveller and Roma Communities: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (16 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: Just to be clear for the VFI members who would be looking in here, or anything else like that, I just used one example. I was not singling out pubs or anything like that.

Seanad: All-Island Strategic Rail Review: Statements (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is very welcome to the House this evening. I echo his words of good luck to Mr. Jim Meade. He has been a phenomenal CEO and has worked very well with everybody across both Houses. I have every faith in the Minister of State to get that rail line opened from Claremorris to Athenry. He has even converted me, and I was hedging my bets for a long time...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: I thank the Chair for facilitating a substitution. I am here on behalf of Senator Costello. She sent me a statement I want to read in and then I have a rake of questions. I would like to apologise for my absence today as this is an issue that is close to my heart. I would also like to thank the witnesses for coming before the committee today. As some of you may know I have been working...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: Very few. That is okay. Senator Costello also wants to know what factors lead to it taking over 700 days on average for Irish patients to access orphan medicines approved by the EMA.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: Perfect. I thank Professor Barry. As my colleague, Deputy Daly, said earlier, this is a very difficult subject and what we all want is a fair, timely system. I pay tribute to Rare Diseases Ireland and the "I am Number 17" campaign. I also acknowledge that extra funding has been got and Professor Barry's team has grown. This is not easy for anyone, but it is important that the team is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: All right. Does Professor Barry think the early access programme is a good idea for drugs? I am going to go further on early access, so what is his opinion on it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: I really welcome Professor Barry's answer on that. I want to go another step. If we do not change the way we are doing, it the assessment process for patients will continue to face delays in getting potentially life-changing treatments. Is it possible to establish an early access programme for rare disease treatments to allow patients with little or no options to avail of treatments early...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: They are already in that whole process but they cannot get early access. The compassionate grounds were stopped. It is on that element I am asking the question. There are so few patients in the rare disease category that they cannot compete with cancer patients or heart and stroke patients. The drug I have mentioned pertains to two a year. You cannot compete. Other countries have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: Does Professor Barry agree on separate pathways, though?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: Early access is one thing but it is the pathways that determine the access.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: What about index linking the pricing? Currently, we do not do that. We have a set threshold. Did Professor Barry say that was €45,000?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: What would it take for the NCPE and HIQA to review the threshold and take similar action?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Anne Rabbitte: I was a little struck earlier by Professor Barry's over-and-back with Senator Clonan. The reason I was a little struck is that families play a huge role in this. They are the principal caregivers, and for decisions to be made without their having a role in the decision process is a little disingenuous. It goes back to the rare diseases technical review committee and families, but who...