Senator Darragh O'Brien raised an issue of concern for multiple sclerosis sufferers with regard to the life-changing drugs that may be withdrawn from the medical card system in the next few weeks. I understand that, in accordance with the procedures of the National Centre for Pharmacoecnomics, it conducted an evaluation of fampridine and concluded that as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the drug in the Irish health setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of this product. The report is available on the NCPE's website. It is open to the manufacturer at any time to submit a new application to the HSE for the inclusion of fampridine on the community drugs schemes. I understand that the manufacturer has indicated to the HSE that it intends to submit a revised application for fampridine. The HSE will certainly reconsider the application on receipt in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment. It should be noted also that fampridine was never available to multiple sclerosis patients under the long-term illness scheme.

I know that but it was on a trial basis.

However, the manufacturer of Fampyra supplied the drug free of charge to some patients prescribed the drug by their clinician. The manufacturer has recently decided to stop supplying the drug free of charge and, as a consequence, these patients are now faced with financing the drug themselves if they wish to continue the drug treatment. That clarifies the point but I agree that the situation in regard to that drug and the other drug that the Deputy mentioned will have to be examined. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister again.

Senators Bacik, Ó Murchú, Mullins, Whelan, Coghlan and several other Members spoke of the death of Gerry Conlon, praised him for his work in human rights and expressed all of our sympathies to his family.

Senator Bacik, as well as other Members, welcomed the release of Dr. Meriam Ibrahim. The BBC, however, has only just reported that she was re-arrested at Khartoum airport in Sudan with her family. We will have to watch that space and see what will happen in this regard.

Several Senators highlighted the plight of al-Jazeera journalists and their recent imprisonment in Egypt. I join with the Senators in condemning this. I am sure the Government and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will, as will many other European and world leaders, do everything possible to secure the release of these journalists who were only doing their job.

Senator Zappone raised the issue of the measurement of GDP, gross domestic product. I will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Finance. Senator Comiskey welcomed several tourism measures announced recently in Sligo. Senator Barrett praised Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Belfast. He also raised the question of the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, providing social housing. To date, it has made 5,237 residential properties available for social housing. Of these, local authorities have confirmed a demand for 2,004 units, of which 695 have been contracted already. NAMA expects 1,100 properties will have been delivered for social housing through this process by the end of 2014. This does not include the potential for delivery arising from apartments recently identified in Tallaght which was discussed in the House on several occasions.

Senators Moloney and Moran highlighted the recent seizure of illegal cigarettes and tobacco products in Drogheda and praised the Customs and Excise and the Garda for this. All Members will join in complimenting those involved in this seizure. Senator Moloney also called for a debate on the report by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland on the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy, a matter which she raised previously. I believe the report has been debated at the health committee but I will see what can be done to have a debate on it in this House.

Senator Ó Murchú raised highlighting human rights issues in this House. They are debated regularly here and I agree they should continue to be. Senators Naughton, Mullins and Noone raised the issue of alcohol abuse and the fact that 1.3 million people are involved in harmful drinking. Having three drinks on a regular basis is classified as harmful binge drinking. This figure will shock many and make us look at our drinking habits.

Senators O’Donnell, Burke and others raised the filling of doctor positions in the health service. I heard much of that debate on the radio on my way up to Dublin this morning. It was brought home that a salary of €110,000, which seems a large amount, is not classified as attractive to members of the medical profession because the tax rate at 52% means most of it goes on tax. It will have to be looked at in the context of the tax system. This is a serious issue with doctors leaving the country and up to 20% of consultant vacancies not being filled.

This matter will have to be dealt with very seriously. It is causing major problems in many of our hospitals.

Senators Whelan and Kelly mentioned EirGrid. They welcomed the announcement yesterday by EirGrid re Grid West.

Senator Whelan asked whether planning laws differ in various areas of the country. If they are they should not and that is all I will say on the matter. The planning process should be the same in every county.

Hear, hear.

Senators Cullinane, Gilroy and others mentioned mental health services and concerns about psychiatric services. I will try to arrange for the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to come to the House in September, as Senator Gilroy has requested.

Senators Eamonn Coghlan and Noone raised the question of obesity and the amount of time allocated to PE in primary schools, in particular. It has been noted that it has not increased over the past number of years. Again, there is a need for significant progress in that area.

Senator MacSharry mentioned the west north-west hospitals group's report on maternity services. I think it was pointed out by the Minister that it will not feed into the national review of maternity services and the report has been abandoned totally at this stage. I noted the points made by the Senator which have been raised by a number of other Senators regarding the staffing of the health service.

Senator Mullins mentioned an article in The Irish Times on mother and baby homes, and county homes.

Senator Paul Coghlan mentioned the Killarney National Park and the mountain meitheal. He corrected the record of the House regarding the matter.

Senator Healy Eames mentioned advertisements stating "not for student rental" which have been in many newspapers. She asked whether it was fair to add such a proviso. I honestly do not believe it is fair to state that in an advertisement. Many difficulties have been witnessed by many students and their parents when trying to gain student accommodation for their children in the Dublin area and in the greater Dublin area, in particular. I will raise the matter with the Minister.

Senator Moran mentioned tobacco products. We will have ample opportunity to debate the topic on Committee and Report Stages of the packaging of tobacco Bill which will be taken in the House this afternoon. She will be able to raise the points she mentioned at that time.

Senator Colm Burke raised points about consultants. He also raised the cost of professional indemnity insurance, a matter which he has raised in the House previously. I think he had an Adjournment motion on the same subject. If he did not, I suggest that he table a motion on that particular issue.

In conclusion, Senator Noone urged us all to get more active.