Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the Order of Business. Members will remember my raising in the House the case of Mr. Pat Tinsley and his very difficult and debilitating disease, amyloidosis. I called for a debate on how the extra €50 million in the budget for battling rare diseases is being spent.

This morning, Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan is launching a Bill that would address this matter. It is very similar to the Bill that former Deputy John Brassil introduced to the Dáil two years ago. It would reform the Health Service Executive's current reimbursement process by establishing a unique procedure in which to evaluate claims and ensure people get their required medication. People like Pat would have access to patisiran and people suffering from degenerative retinal disease would be able to access the gene therapy Luxturna, as Mr. Ciáran Joyce from Kildare town has informed me. Sadly, his mum Betty passed away last year from this disease. This Bill is a long overdue but credible solution to the ongoing crisis and it is very much needed.

I was shocked to see in this morning's Irish Examinera piece by Ms Aoife Moore in which she wrote about a female solicitor having to visit a jail in Ireland in June to consult a client. This was an urgent referral and the solicitor needed to be there. On her way into the jail, she was told she had to remove her bra. It is a woman's choice whether she wears a bra but for those who make that choice, it is important, and we make it for particular reasons. For a woman to be told that for security reasons she has to remove a bra and remain braless for a consultation is completely wrong. This solicitor spoke about how traumatised she felt about this. The process completely disrespected her and took away her dignity. It is appalling and we must examine such an incident.

Sport defines us as a nation in many ways, both in participation and viewing. I am really surprised to see that over the weekend Horse Sport Ireland made the decision not to have two competitors in dressage at the Tokyo Olympics. This is the first year that Ireland has qualified for the event. I understand there will be two competitors in Tokyo who could participate in this competition. This decision is completely wrong and should be investigated. We take our sport very seriously and there are people in Ireland who put so much time into practising and competing in this elite sport. I ask the Deputy Leader to take up this matter if possible.