Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Senator Wilson. I also thank the Minister of State for her response.

The application by PTC will be submitted by the end of the month. It would be helpful and important to outline the process and timeline. We have to remember these boys. Both Senator Wilson and I know these families so they have become human beings and not just numbers to us. One of the families affected is from County Cavan and they could get the drug if they travelled five miles up the road. I know the other family as they are from County Mayo. I do not want them put in a position where they must uproot their family and move to the North in order to get the drug.

As has been said, the European Medicines Agency has granted approval. The evidence is there. Even if more evidence needs to be gathered, a conditional approval would be fine so that the boys can have the drug. It is important the process is completed as quickly as possible. We do not want to call the Minister of State or the Minister for Health to the House again. We believe that this is a pretty straightforward case. I thank everyone involved but above all I thank the families for bearing with this matter and remaining in the State-----