What plans does the Government have to reverse the decision to withdraw Versatis pain relief patches for persons with medical cards and under the drugs payment scheme? The chairman of the National Association of General Practitioners said the system the Government had introduced had seen almost all GP applications on behalf of patients turned down. GPs have also said the Taoiseach’s claim that the withdrawal was based on patient safety is utter nonsense. I have a constituent who is almost 70 years of age, has a medical card and is doubled up suffering from chronic pain every day. He is now confined to his home because he cannot afford to buy the Versatis pain relief patches he needs. Will the Taoiseach listen to the medical professionals, as well as the patients affected, and reverse this cruel cost-cutting measure in order that people living with chronic pain can ensure they have some quality of life?

It was not a Government decision. The medicines management programme is run by a professor of medicine. Accordingly, there are medical professionals helping to make these decisions. It is important, if a medicine is prescribed by doctors off-licence, that there be some controls as to how it is done.

That concludes questions on promised legislation. Eight Deputies were not reached today.