Orkambi and a stolen dog
Senator Feighan supported concern about Orkambi and said the Minister was travelling to meet EU counterparts on the issue. The exchange then veered into a light-hearted discussion of a stolen Limerick greyhound and Garda action.
I share Senator Mark Daly's concern about the Orkambi issue. I saw "Claire Byrne Live" last Monday night and all contributors, including taxpayers, doctors, and people waiting to get Orkambi, were very measured and very concerned. I saw a tweet from the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, at 5 a.m. While one might ask what he was doing at 5 a.m., the Minister was at the airport on his way to meet his European colleagues in Lisbon to discuss the Orkambi issue. We can try to address it across parties and across borders. However, Vertex, the company that produces Orkambi is holding patients and the Government to ransom. We can try to find a solution.
I share Senator John O'Mahony's concerns about bus services. The situation in the west has been raised with me by a number of people. There is an issue with the bus service from Ballyhaunis through Castlerea to Dublin. We need to bring the Minister into the House to have a debate on the current position in Bus Éireann.
I praise the Garda for arresting four men over the kidnapping of the fastest dog in Ireland, Clares Rocket.
Comment on this
It is a Limerick dog and one that has won huge prizes and is seemingly worth over €1 million. It shows the complexities of crime in the country when the Garda must arrest four men with guns over the kidnap of a dog. It sounds like something out of a comic strip. I praise the Garda and all concerned in ensuring it was stopped.