Mary Henry (Independent)

You, a Chathaoirligh, and other Senators will have received the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation's statement, published by Forfás, on embedding the pharmaceutical and chemical sector in Ireland. This is an important statement because the pharmaceutical and chemical industries are our main exporters. At the same time, however, the Government fixes the prices of pharmaceutical and chemical products used in the supply of drugs for the health service, and they are among the highest in Europe. Will the Leader organise a debate with the relevant Minister – whether it is the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, or the Minister for Health and Children – to see how much the health service is helping to embed the very profitable pharmaceutical industry? The health service has dire financial problems while private patients have to pay very high prices for drugs. I would be grateful if the Leader could bring this matter to the attention of the relevant Minister with a view to having a debate on the issue in the House.