Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support what is a very reasonable request from Senator Darragh O'Brien to impress upon the Minister the need for drugs to treat people suffering from multiple sclerosis. If somebody gets cancer or has a heart condition, we all sit up and take notice but in most cases people can be cured or get better. There is no cure for this neurological disease and this is a debilitating condition from which people will not recover. The drugs in question are a lifeline to a semblance of normal life. It is incumbent on the State to provide such drugs. The Senator mentioned a figure of €280 and ultimately, that could keep a person out of hospital and long-term care. It would be a cheap option for the State if we are honest.

I will go a step further and ask the Leader to request the Minister to come before the House. We can have a debate on long-term illness cards and eligibility, and he can have a chance to give a good reason for this drug being unacceptable in the long-term illness scheme. If we do not use trial drugs, there will be no progress in medical science. Will the Leader ask the Minister to come before us so we can debate the issue?