Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to add my voice to the congratulations to Senator Martin McAleese on his fine work on the report on the Magdalen laundries. In a short year here he leaves behind a fine legacy. I look forward to reading the report and debating it in the House and seeing its recommendations implemented.

Orla Tinsley has left the Visitors' Gallery but that fine young woman has done Trojan work on behalf of cystic fibrosis sufferers. I am delighted that the drug Kalydeco has been recognised and made available to the patients. Senator MacSharry said these drugs should be made available and asked how they are made available but this particular drug will be made available to all the cystic fibrosis patients with the G551D mutation, which is the controlling criteria for the drug. Mention was made of Senators making representations. I made representation to the Minister on this drug and I am delighted it is being made available. Another new drug is coming on-stream also but I hope that this new drug will be made available to Orla, who has that gene mutation, and all cystic fibrosis sufferers.

The issue of wind energy was raised earlier. I again bring to the attention of all Members that the Leader of the Seanad, Senator Maurice Cummins, and myself are organising a European-wide debate on sustainable energy and wind energy in Dublin Castle on 21 and 22 June. It will be attended by politicians from across Europe as well as our own politicians. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, is the main speaker but there will be speakers from across Europe also. This entire issue will be discussed by people from academia, politicians and industry. This is the time and the place and Members should put their names down to ensure they can attend. It is part of the EU Presidency and has now been recognised as an associate event of the EU Presidency. It was instigated by this Seanad and will do a service to Ireland in terms of renewable and sustainable energy and the input to that conference from every Member will be most important.