Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

However, the manufacturer of Fampyra supplied the drug free of charge to some patients prescribed the drug by their clinician. The manufacturer has recently decided to stop supplying the drug free of charge and, as a consequence, these patients are now faced with financing the drug themselves if they wish to continue the drug treatment. That clarifies the point but I agree that the situation in regard to that drug and the other drug that the Deputy mentioned will have to be examined. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister again.

Senators Bacik, Ó Murchú, Mullins, Whelan, Coghlan and several other Members spoke of the death of Gerry Conlon, praised him for his work in human rights and expressed all of our sympathies to his family.

Senator Bacik, as well as other Members, welcomed the release of Dr. Meriam Ibrahim. The BBC, however, has only just reported that she was re-arrested at Khartoum airport in Sudan with her family. We will have to watch that space and see what will happen in this regard.

Several Senators highlighted the plight of al-Jazeera journalists and their recent imprisonment in Egypt. I join with the Senators in condemning this. I am sure the Government and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will, as will many other European and world leaders, do everything possible to secure the release of these journalists who were only doing their job.

Senator Zappone raised the issue of the measurement of GDP, gross domestic product. I will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Finance. Senator Comiskey welcomed several tourism measures announced recently in Sligo. Senator Barrett praised Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Belfast. He also raised the question of the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, providing social housing. To date, it has made 5,237 residential properties available for social housing. Of these, local authorities have confirmed a demand for 2,004 units, of which 695 have been contracted already. NAMA expects 1,100 properties will have been delivered for social housing through this process by the end of 2014. This does not include the potential for delivery arising from apartments recently identified in Tallaght which was discussed in the House on several occasions.

Senators Moloney and Moran highlighted the recent seizure of illegal cigarettes and tobacco products in Drogheda and praised the Customs and Excise and the Garda for this. All Members will join in complimenting those involved in this seizure. Senator Moloney also called for a debate on the report by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland on the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy, a matter which she raised previously. I believe the report has been debated at the health committee but I will see what can be done to have a debate on it in this House.

Senator Ó Murchú raised highlighting human rights issues in this House. They are debated regularly here and I agree they should continue to be. Senators Naughton, Mullins and Noone raised the issue of alcohol abuse and the fact that 1.3 million people are involved in harmful drinking. Having three drinks on a regular basis is classified as harmful binge drinking. This figure will shock many and make us look at our drinking habits.

Senators O’Donnell, Burke and others raised the filling of doctor positions in the health service. I heard much of that debate on the radio on my way up to Dublin this morning. It was brought home that a salary of €110,000, which seems a large amount, is not classified as attractive to members of the medical profession because the tax rate at 52% means most of it goes on tax. It will have to be looked at in the context of the tax system. This is a serious issue with doctors leaving the country and up to 20% of consultant vacancies not being filled.

This matter will have to be dealt with very seriously. It is causing major problems in many of our hospitals.

Senators Whelan and Kelly mentioned EirGrid. They welcomed the announcement yesterday by EirGrid re Grid West.

Senator Whelan asked whether planning laws differ in various areas of the country. If they are they should not and that is all I will say on the matter. The planning process should be the same in every county.