Despite being a doctor, the Taoiseach was unable to answer my brother, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, when he asked about lidocaine patches being removed from medical card cover. They cost €90 per box and are great for pain management. The decision affects 25,000 people and no reason has been given for their removal. I am inundated with questions from people in County Kerry who are suffering sore and painful ill-health as a result of the removal of these patches from the scheme. They cannot afford to buy them themselves. I am the same as everyone else here so I presume other Deputies and councillors throughout the country are being asked the same question. Will the Taoiseach answer the question today? Who authorised the removal of these patches from the medical card scheme? It was wrong and unfair.

I thank the Deputy. It is not a question on promised legislation.

My brother asked the question last week and the Taoiseach said he did not have an answer. Perhaps he will have an answer today.

I thought I did answer it. Decisions on whether medicines or medical devices are authorised in the State are made by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. Decisions on whether they are reimbursed through the DPS or GMS are made by the HSE.