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Seanad
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Debate on Greece and Fampyra access

Summary

Senator O’Brien seeks a debate on the Greek bailout and Ireland’s potential contribution, while also renewing his request for action on Fampyra access for people with multiple sclerosis.

We will worry about that on another day.

Last week, I asked for a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Dara Murphy, regarding the situation in Greece. A number of us asked for it, actually. It is important. The schedule is tight this week and difficult to manage. It shows that, as we approach a recess, there is a glut of legislation once again.

We have never planned our legislation properly over successive Governments and successive years. There is always a run. We have four or five Bills today and more Bills right the way through the week while there have been other weeks where we were light on business. It is a pity.

The Greek situation is one that should be discussed. As a citizen and a Member of the Oireachtas, I want to know what our Government's position has been and I want it confirmed in the House. I have seen the interviews and read the reports, but a debate is important. Neither the European Union nor the Syriza Government has covered itself in glory and one cannot escape the fact that the Greek people have been very badly treated by both. The Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, has attended many of these meetings.

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

Hear, hear.

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They entered into the last bailout, which is the one they did not fulfil.

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Will Senator Coghlan allow Senator O'Brien to make his point?

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That goes to my next point. There is a new bailout for Greece, which is only right and proper. No one wants to see Greek society descend into chaos. We want to see the banks open and people being able to withdraw more than €60 a day if they have it. We want to see an end to the crisis but we are entitled, as a Parliament within the EU, to discuss it. Ireland will, I am sure, be asked to contribute to a further bailout. It will be well over €1 billion and perhaps closer to €2 billion. Rightly, we contributed €350 million to one of the previous bailouts. While I have no problem with that solidarity, we need to know what the Government is saying and what its position is. I am insisting that the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, come to the House.

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The talks have yet to follow.

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Please, Senator Coghlan.

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We should be allowed to discuss it. I ask the Leader to respond and, hopefully, we can set aside an hour or an hour and a half to discuss a matter of significant national and EU importance.

I wish to update colleagues on a matter I ask the Leader to take up again. Since February 2014 I have been raising the issue of the Fampyra drug for 3,000 MS sufferers who cannot access it. I have been writing repeatedly to the Minister and HSE, as have other colleagues, only to get the same stock answer. What really bothers me is that we have to get our information third hand. I am finding out that the HSE has in fact written to all consultant neurologists for a list of names of patients using Fampyra and benefitting from the drug with a view to compiling a list for August-September of those to whom the drug will then be released. That is great, but why in God's name will they not tell us about it? Why are the Department and the HSE providing us with nonsense responses while I have to find out third hand from an MS sufferer? While I am glad of the news, if it is correct, my point is a more general one. We are raising matters here on a regular basis and the Department knows that. We should be kept informed of how things are, or are not, progressing. I find it unacceptable that we are not. I welcome the news as it looks as if we are at long last getting some long overdue movement. I will be writing to the head of the HSE to get confirmation.

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