Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague that the four Sinn Féin Members should take their seats in the House of Commons and have issued a press release to that effect. The party would have four crucial votes in debating Brexit as it would affect Northern Ireland. It is important that they exercise their right and make the interests of the people of Northern Ireland their first priority. That is what Sinn Féin should do.

The European Medicines Agency is based in London and employs over 900 people. Once the United Kingdom decides to leave the European Union, the agency will have to relocate. I am delighted that the Minister for Health was in London yesterday to discuss the issue. We must fight tooth and nail to bring this important agency to this country. I would like it to be located in the Cork region where nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies are based and where it would contribute to the research and development sector and thus encourage more companies to locate in the region. Will the Leader convey to the Minister for Health the urgent need to make the best case possible at European level to have the agency relocate to Ireland?In particular, I would be hopeful that it would be based in the south, if at all possible.