Pages 59 and 64 of the programme for Government refer to cystic fibrosis patients and the provision of breakthrough drugs, respectively. Unfortunately, some weeks ago the Taoiseach was poorly briefed when he responded about the provision of Orkambi and referred to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. He was obviously behind the curve. Is the Minister, Deputy Harris, also behind the curve? I ask because yesterday he stated he needed more time and space to conclude these issues. I cannot help thinking that this reflects the fact there will be a national protest on this matter tomorrow.

How much time does the Government need? On 15 January, Vertex renewed a proposal with a substantially lower price tag than the one the Taoiseach applied two weeks ago. Under the proposal, drugs that were in the development pipeline would also be provided in the long term. There has been no contact between Vertex and the HSE since 3 February. Yesterday, the Minister falsely gave the impression that substantial negotiations were ongoing. What space do we need? Is it to consider the Fine Gael leadership-----

Deputy, I want to allow other colleagues to contribute.

-----or to provide Orkambi to the people? As I pointed out to the Taoiseach two weeks ago, children grow sicker and some will die while we procrastinate.

I thank the Deputy, but some of his colleagues wish to contribute.

Will the Taoiseach be specific and accurate regarding the timeline for a decision on this issue?

I think that Pat Rabbitte referred to Deputy MacSharry one day regarding the Deputy's comments. I will not go down there, as they say.

Do not.

No.

I was not behind the curve when we made the-----

"When you're in a hole, stop digging" might be a message for the Taoiseach.

Deputy, allow an answer from the Taoiseach.

I was not behind the curve when we briefed the Deputy on the previous occasion, nor was the Minister, Deputy Harris. I am well aware of the protest that is scheduled for Wednesday, and the Minister, Deputy Harris, has been in touch with the organisers of that. He stressed today that he expects that this process can be concluded in a matter of weeks, but his overriding priority is to make sure that any agreement that is reached is not just for now, that it would provide certainty for Irish cystic fibrosis patients on the provision of Orkambi and on the provision of Kalydeco and other drugs now and in the future, and not just the instant decision that we would need for the moment.

Which Vertex has been offering since 15 January.

Deputy MacSharry-----

What he is looking for is the longer term, Deputy MacSharry, that all of the drugs-----

The Government has had this information since 15 January.

That is there.

I am moving on. I want to accommodate the-----

Lift the phone. Take the decision.

Deputies, there are more Members in the House. I am moving on.

-----that are involved - Orkambi, Kalydeco and any new drug-----

Which are included in that offer.

-----that comes on stream-----

I call Deputy Eugene Murphy.

New drugs are included in that offer.

Yes, but Deputy MacSharry thought that I did not know that.

I know that-----

I might be able to accommodate other contributors if all Members have respect for the-----

The Taoiseach did not know last week.

What I am trying to do is do a deal on a package for the future for-----

-----but the Taoiseach is misleading the people.

Have respect for colleagues.

-----all cystic fibrosis sufferers.

Take the decision.

The Minister expects that it is now entering a critical phase finally.

"Critical phase"? Lift the phone to Vertex-----

I call Deputy Eugene Murphy.

He is focused now-----

-----and tell it-----

Deputy MacSharry-----

-----on concluding the process in the interests of all the cystic fibrosis sufferers, not just for now, but for the future, with-----

Taoiseach, please. I can accommodate others if the Taoiseach and other Members respect the time.

-----Orkambi, Kalydeco and any new drug that comes along.