Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Even if a motion was put down and this House decreed that it should be made available, it would have no impact. That is not how the process works. It is not a political decision. It is very much a decision made on scientific and economic grounds.

I have been listening to the debate on this issue over the Christmas and new year period, and more recently. Even those who advocate on behalf of the CF community, some of whom I know, admit that this drug is too expensive. As regards to if and when it is approved, I have no opinion on that and I do not think it would be right for me to offer an opinion on it at this stage. This issue should be dealt with on a Europe-wide basis. Even though our CF numbers are exceptionally high, it is easy to take a small country like Ireland and pick us off saying, "There's our price and that's what we're getting." It is much easier to deal with a greater population base, so the EU should come together to negotiate the purchase price for all drugs on a Europe-wide basis.

As I said, even those advocating on behalf of the CF community admit that, as it stands, this drug is way too expensive. These people are not foolish; they know the consequences and the possible effect it could have. Equally, however, they understand that there is not a bottomless financial pit. While it is important for us to take on board what they are saying, we need to move swiftly towards the point where Europe negotiates with the pharmacological industry, rather than smaller countries and regions doing it alone, such as in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg or Liechtenstein. If not, we will be left isolated and unable to negotiate a better deal for ourselves.