The Ceann Comhairle will be very glad to hear that I kayaked the Dodder in my younger days.

Innovation, research and design are subjects I know are close to the Tánaiste's heart and are also at the heart of our health system. New drugs represent not just hope for patients but the pinnacle of research and intellectual endeavour, not least here in Ireland. The Tánaiste is aware of my personal interest in this area of new drugs and rare diseases, as chair of the cross-party Oireachtas group on the matter. Can the Tánaiste update the House on any positive developments in funding from the Government for the whole area of new drugs?

I thank the Deputy for his championing, along with Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan, of new drugs, or orphan drugs as they are called, in particular for rare diseases.

It has been a huge issue for many people across the country and globally. The Revised Estimates have additional funding allocated to the Department of Health in respect of new drugs and therapies. There is a nexus between new developments, clinical trials and advancements in the treatment of conditions. We cannot do that if we do not trial them and work in a proper context to develop new technologies. Additional funding is now being made available to ensure there is a sufficient budget for the rare disease area, orphan drugs and new drugs generally.