Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

If the Government is serious about drafting alternative legislation in this area, why will it not allow this Bill to proceed on Second Stage and introduce amendments thereafter, either in this House or in the Dáil? That would be a constructive approach which brings the expertise, professionally and otherwise, of Senator Crown and others into consideration. To reject it outright does no service to current and future cancer patients. It does no service to this House. When it comes to an issue like this, we should be above playing politics.

The evidence internationally, as outlined by previous speakers, shows that where medicines are available to the greatest extent possible, the lives of cancer patients can be extended and the quality improved. If the relevant drugs are approved by the European drug approval authority, we should accept their considered, professional opinion and not question it. It appears to me that by rejecting this Bill, we are insinuating that we are rejecting the European approvals that are being provided.

The Bill gives total scope to the Minister of the day.