Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I second the amendment to the Order of Business moved by Senator Power. This important issue requires to be discussed.

I remind Members, as I am sure they already will be aware as the Leader has said it, that I will propose later today the Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012, which is non-adversarial legislation. I would hope that, between now and this evening, everyone will take a moment or two to read this quite short but important legislation. I hope normal political hostilities can be shelved in the interests of the patient because that is what this legislation is about. As the House will be aware, Senator Crown is a co-sponsor. The Bill is about making drugs available to vulnerable cancer patients and ensuring clear processes on that, while still protecting the Government ability to opt out of the provision of a drug. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure the automatic provision of drugs which help people and to allow the State opt out case by case, which we believe is much fairer. It will certainly avoid vulnerable cancer patients having Joe Duffy as their only recourse.