Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the decision by the generic drug manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals to reduce the cost of drugs on the market by over 23%. By contrast, the branded producers have agreed to a reduction of only 7%. The Minister for Health has held negotiations to reduce the cost of pharmaceuticals.

It is the first step but there are several others we need to take in this area to ensure we can bring down the cost of health care.

I also welcome yesterday?s announcement by the Minister for Health about the location of the new national children?s hospital at St. James?s Hospital. It will be a trilocation with the Coombe hospital close to the site too. It is time we all worked together and we must have consultation at local community level, as well as with all of the stakeholders, at an early stage to fast-track this proposal and get on with the planning, development, building and opening of this new facility. We need it for the children. The sooner we can get over all the hurdles in front of us, the better for everyone. I welcome the Minister?s decision. I understand we will have a debate on it next week, which I welcome. It is time, however, that we all worked together, from the medical profession and the Department of Health to the local authority and those involved in planning, to deliver this project at the earliest possible date.