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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Cystic fibrosis drug access

Summary

Senator Landy supports the proposed all-party motion on cystic fibrosis treatment and recalls the importance of addressing the cost of medicines.

While Senator David Norris can be compensated, he does at least have an instrument. It might not be working well, but we do not seem to have any instrument underneath us. Perhaps that might be looked at.

I support Senator Ivana Bacik's call for a motion that would encompass all our views on those with cystic fibrosis.

I recall a similar circumstance when research was carried out on a medication and it was produced to treat one of the cancer illnesses and cost was a major issue also. We came to an agreement at the time with the company that was producing it and I hope a similar understanding can be reached on this occasion. A very close friend of mine who had cystic fibrosis died a number of years ago. The experience of seeing somebody go through that trauma is unacceptable.

I wish to raise another issue. On 29 December 2015 my home town of Carrick-on-Suir experienced the highest level of rainfall in the country when 81 mm of rain fell in one night. As we will have a full debate tomorrow on the flooding, I am not discussing that issue, but what one would call an unforeseen circumstance. The local library, the Sean Healy Memorial Library, is called after a man who gave public service for 35 years. The roof of the building was leaking before the major downpour and it is now in extremely bad condition and dangerous. The electrical wiring has been affected also. The library needs funding urgently. I ask the Leader to intervene in this matter with the Department to see if some funding can be provided to prevent the Sean Healy Memorial Library in Carrick-on-Suir from having to be closed to the public on safety grounds.

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