Several Deputies met this morning with members of the Irish MPS Society, who are seeking support for the approval of funding to the Health Service Executive for the delivery of a drug called Vimizim. The delegates saw the Minister for Health in the corridor but were not talking to him. This is a life-changing drug for children with the rare condition, Morquio syndrome. It is very sad to hear the stories of the families concerned. The drug is manufactured in Cork, in the constituency of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and is available throughout Europe. I do not know what the Minister, Deputy Coveney, finds so funny about it. This is a very serious situation affecting a small number of families who are requesting a meeting with the Minister for Health. One child from Monaghan has been prescribed the drug, which is paid for by the HSE but can only be purchased in the North. It is not possible to get it in this State, even though it is manufactured here. It is a bizarre situation.

As Deputy McGrath outlined, a group from the Irish MPS Society, including children with Morquio syndrome and their parents, met with Deputies this morning and are in the Public Gallery now. The group includes two children who are being treated with Vimizim. We all meet thousands of people in the course of our life, especially those of us here in the Oireachtas, but sometimes one meets a person who is unique and whose humanity shines through. That is the case with the two children we met this morning. The Minister for Health has agreed to meet the delegation for a few minutes, which I am delighted to hear, but I urge the Taoiseach, too, to meet the children before they leave. It is always clear when we meet people who are special and different. I ask that the Taoiseach listen for five minutes to what these two children have to say. If he does so, I am absolutely confident he will ensure the drug is approved for all children with this illness. It is totally wrong that they have been left in their current situation.

I support the representations of colleagues on behalf of the parents and children we met this morning. As Deputy McGrath noted, in one particular case a child has been prescribed the drug, paid for the HSE, but has to purchase it in the North. Other children cannot avail of it. There is something badly wrong in that situation. I urge the Minister for Health to meet the children and their parents to hear about their circumstances.

I join previous speakers in drawing the attention of the Minister and the Taoiseach to the situation of the young people and their parents who we met this morning. It is vital that the Minister for Health should meet them today, as he has undertaken to do.

It was a cross-party group that met them this morning. I support the calls in respect of this matter.

I understand that there is one child to whom the company is continuing to give the medicine. If the Minister meets the other children, he will discover that it is incredible the way they are able to tell their stories. The Minister needs to look at this case and at least meet the families. Show them the respect of that and get the HSE officials to recognise the problem.

I always show people respect but the Deputies also need to be very truthful about where this power lies, based on the laws passed by this House. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 very clearly means that the HSE is the decision-making body on this. I know that this is a very important and sensitive matter. It is very important for the families and I absolutely understand why they would be rightly worried, upset and concerned. On 7 November last, the HSE made a decision not to add Vimizim to its reimbursement list. In doing so, the HSE has made it very clear to the company that the company can come back to the table and produce new evidence and negotiate. During my time as the Minister for Health, we have seen people come to the table to negotiate, even in extraordinarily difficult circumstances relating to trying to access new drugs, and we can often find a way forward. I urge colleagues to not just call on the Government to act, but to also call on the drug company to sit down with the HSE and negotiate a way forward.

I understand that a small number of children are on an access scheme for this drug. It is extraordinarily important that the drug company acts in an ethical manner. The Declaration of Helsinki is very clear that access schemes and reimbursement should not be linked. There is absolutely no way this House should stand over the removal of children from an access scheme for that drug. I would be delighted to have a word with the families today, and to keep in touch with Deputies on this. I believe, however, that people need to get back to the negotiating table.

Will the Taoiseach also meet them?

It is not really appropriate for me to arrange meetings on the floor of the House.