Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to orphan drugs. This morning, the Joint Committee on Health is discussing rare diseases and the issue of the drugs in question. It is important to have that debate. To be fair, there is a level of transparency. Professor Michael Barry has been very open in his presentations to the committees. I chaired the Joint Committee on Health for five years and he came before it regularly. Deputy Ó Caoláin and I initiated discussion of rare diseases on 28 February and also on orphan drugs. I will be happy to ask the Minister to come to the House on the matter. We need to see how we can ensure that people are able to access drugs or treatment in a more expeditious manner and I accept that point totally.

I join Senator Ó Ríordáin in commending Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane on their stewardship of the Irish soccer team. They were probably working at a time when we may not have had the best of players but we have to acknowledge their contribution to Irish sport and the management of the team. We were unlucky on a couple of occasions when a number of decisions went against us and a few chances that could have come off did not.

On this evening's Private Members' debate, the Minister will outline the Government's decision. We need to find a way through and it should not be a case of our opposing the motion simply for the sake of doing so. The points made are relevant and I hope the Government will work with the Labour Party in reaching a compromise on the matter. I say that in a personal capacity. Ultimately, it is a matter for Government.