Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. Are we at the ready? Will things change? Sufferers want assurances. We have a track record of being in the Vauxhall non-league conference in terms of speed, when it comes to approving and funding such drugs. What is stopping Ireland being in the premier division? Then again, should we not all be equal in the context of the EU, as we are equal members of that family? Perhaps, there is a need for a fundamental, global and societal response, which has equity at its core. These sufferers want assurances. Is the footdragging track record of delay in Ireland caused by incompetence, lack of resources or something else? Does Ireland jump in the queue only when it has already formed? The only certainty is we will always get a place at the back of the queue, but if we got up a little earlier we might be near the front of it.

The truth is sickness is sickness and pain is pain but there should be no queues when it comes to a person's wellbeing and care. It should not be about the haves and have-nots. The wait for the roll-out of this drug is near unbearable. I ask and implore the Minister of State to take pre-emptive action and ensure, this time, that things are done in the most time efficient and fair way. Time is of the absolute essence for these sufferers.