Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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872. To ask the Minister for Health the recommendations from the national clinical trials oversight group she plans to progress; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51472/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Final Recommendations of the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group (NCTOG) were approved by Government at the end of July and will be published shortly. It is my intention to progress all of the NCTOG's recommendations, which are highly ambitious and strategic in terms of transforming the clinical trials sector in Ireland. The recommendations cover key priority areas which will create sector-wide strengthening of the national framework and mechanisms for supporting clinical trials, increasing the numbers of clinical trials taking place in Ireland and improving patients' access to innovative treatments, while enhancing our global prominence as a host for high-quality clinical trials.

The first priority area of the NCTOG Final Recommendations relates to establishment of a Clinical Trials Advisory Council (CTAC), which will oversee the establishment and setup of a National Clinical Trials Body. These new governance structures will provide a focal point for organisations and stakeholders wishing to conduct clinical trials in Ireland, while also supporting patients to access information and links to participate in clinical trials. Naturally, these initiatives will require concerted effort and coordination between government, academia, industry, and the public, and as such will be the subject of intensive work over the coming months and years. I look forward to updating Government on the progress of the Council as we seek to implement the NCTOG recommendations in full.