As we speak 35 children are being denied a drug because of the insatiable greed of a pharmaceutical company. Vertex, which is based in Ireland, is denying 35 children this vital drug. It has the Government and the HSE over a barrel. More importantly, it has the families over a barrel.

This company has made billions of dollars in profits yet it is insatiable for more profits. Can the Minister give the families comfort over Christmas in regard to access to this drug? I understand the health technology assessment is going to be done but it could take up to six months before it is processed. These children do not have six months - it is as simple as that. These children need to be given access to this drug as soon as possible. It is morally wrong. It is corporate incompetence and it is corrupt that companies like this can have governments and families over a barrel.

My view on this is the same as the Deputy’s, which is that these 35 children should have been given this drug at the same time as everybody else. It is very clear. I met my Dutch counterpart in Brussels last weekend and we discussed CF drugs and this very company. It is not just in Ireland that this behaviour is being seen. The Deputy will be aware of a very strongly worded letter which issued from the consultants and of their views on how this company was behaving. We need to get this drug for these 35 children as quickly as possible. I can assure the Deputy that the Department and I are working very closely with the HSE to ensure the processes that have to be gone through are gone through as quickly as they possibly can be. We want to get this drug to these children as quickly as possible. We are aware of the impact it has. We will continue to focus on that.