Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Perhaps the Minister of State will have an opportunity to reply to that. If the European Medicines Agency is not involved in assessments of this type, what is it for? The Minister of State also said "drugs and new technologies will always hold greater appeal than, for example, preventative medicine". I think Senator Crown took offence at that statement because it seemed to suggest there is something wrong with drugs and new technologies. In fairness to him, he pointed out on two occasions that some drugs and new technologies extend the lives of unfortunate cancer patients by a short period only, which would not be cost-effective. That is why I am questioning the presumption in the Minister of State's speech. She said that "Senators MacSharry and Crown claim that this Bill will improve access of cancer patients to much needed drugs". She also said that the "mission of my Department and the health system is to improve the health and well-being of people in Ireland in a manner that promotes better health for everyone, fair access, responsive and appropriate care delivery, and high performance" and went on to say that the "objectives of this Bill are contrary to this mission". Was that not a gratuitous insult? Have the proposer and seconder of this legislation not already stated plainly that this is about improving the health and well-being of people in Ireland and promoting better health?