Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to the need to bring EU approval for a new cystic fibrosis drug into effect here. I will bring that matter to the attention of the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar. I assure all Members, including Senator O'Brien, that I will endeavour to have the Minister come to the House as soon as possible. We have business ordered up to 7.30 p.m. today and, unfortunately, the Minister is not available. I will seek to have him here without delay for a comprehensive debate on the measures that are being taken in regard to hospital emergency department services. It is disappointing that the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has voted in favour of industrial action. That outcome was not unexpected but industrial action, we all would agree, is not the solution to the problem. The director general of the Health Service Executive has already affirmed that health service management is keen to use the State's industrial relations machinery to ensure the proposed action by members of the INMO does not go ahead.There was a list in several newspapers yesterday of people who have not disclosed their remuneration. Senator Conway suggested that legislation should be introduced to allow for the salaries of all CEOs to be made public. I will bring that matter to the attention of the relevant Minister.

Senator Craughwell asked about the Committee Stage debate on the FEMPI Bill. I assure him that we will have a proper Committee Stage debate on the Bill and that the legislation will be dealt with in the same way as all other legislation is dealt with by this House. If votes are called on the Bill then they will be taken.