I raise the programme for Government commitment around drug pricing at paragraph 5.7.5. What steps are being taken to secure sustainable and affordable access to new and innovative medicines? Given that Ireland is at the heart of Europe, how can we best leverage that position, working with our colleagues in other member states to create greater purchasing power and access to many new and innovative drugs at affordable prices?

I thank Deputy Heydon for raising this important matter. The Government has done three things to drive down the cost of new drugs. First, it has agreed a deal with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, which has saved hundreds of millions of euro and kept drug pricing roughly stable at €2 billion per year despite the fact that we are purchasing more drugs. Second, we have developed Ireland's first ever biosimilars policy. Third, I have received Government approval in recent weeks for Ireland to seek to join the Benelux "A" group which is composed of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Austria. As part of the group, we could voluntarily opt-in to try to purchase drugs with these countries and share information. I will be travelling to Belgium and the Netherlands next month to advance this objective.