I thank the 18 Members for their contributions to the Order of Business. I join Senator Warfield and all of us in the House in remembering the genocide in Rwanda 25 years ago. It is important and proper that we in this House reflect upon and pay tribute to the Rwandan people on the 25th anniversary. The words of the president are ones we should take note of when he speaks of them being a family once again. The events of 25 years ago were horrific and brutal. Like the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, we should all commend the bravery and resilience of the Rwandan people and stand with them. At the end of the Order of Business, it is appropriate that we should stand for a minute's reflection and pay tribute to, and remember, those who died in an awful event.

Senator Ardagh raised the issue of Spinraza. The information I have is that the HSE wrote to the company informing it of its proposal to refuse reimbursement of Spinraza at the price offered by the company but allowing for an opportunity for the company to come back to the HSE with a different price option. As Members will be aware, the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 allows for 28 days during which a company may come back to the Department or the HSE. My information is that the HSE has received a revised submission. The HSE drugs group is now considering that price and will make a recommendation. I do not have more up to date information than that but drugs companies have an obligation to come back to the HSE with reasonable prices so that we can ensure people are able to avail of medicines.

Senators McFadden and Ardagh raised the report from National Cancer Registry Ireland. According to the report, one in two of us will develop cancer in the coming years. As Senator McFadden rightly said, outcomes have improved and people are surviving longer and have better access to treatment and medicines but it is important that we invest in cancer care and services, the national cancer strategy is updated and resources put in place to ensure the strategy is fit for purpose. Last Friday, I visited Cork ARC Cancer Support House to look at its proposal for the new development, which involves a suite of rooms and treatment centres and would provide people with an opportunity to meet. I commend the work of Professor Seamus O'Reilly and the staff in Cork ARC Cancer Support House.

It is important that we invest in our cancer strategy so that we can tackle the scourge of cancer that has for a generation blighted our communities. As Senator Ardagh rightly said, there are many in this House who have family members who died as a result of cancer and other family members who have suffered from the disease and may be on the road to recovery, in remission or now cancer free. This is an issue on which we must maintain vigilance.

Senators McDowell, Lawless and Bacik raised the issue of the gaming legislation that is coming before the House, probably next week.

I am on the Leader's side on that. It is the lobbyists I am against.

The Senator made a point regarding local authorities having powers in this area removed from them. I do not believe the position will change.

I got that wrong. I misread the industry lobby.

If it is to be changed, I accept the Senator's point that the legislation should be looked at again. He is correct that there is no value to society in having gaming machines or these dens of iniquity where people gather. He is also correct that it is the most vulnerable and those who can least afford it who end up going in to these places. I fully subscribe to the point made by Senators McDowell and Lawless that gambling is a scourge on many families from which no community is immune. I support Senator McDowell's view that it does not add anything to society to have places where gaming machines are operated.

In the context of any legislation, it is important that we do not remove power from local authorities. Continuing to strip them of power is not the way forward. We should be sensible in the way in which we invest in local government from the point of view of giving elected members powers and an opportunity to have real meaningful roles in areas such as this.

Senators McDowell, Black and Bacik raised the issue of the Israeli election and the annexation of Palestinian settlements. Senator McDowell will be glad to hear I agree with him. None of us in this House is anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. From the point of view of what is being proposed here, it is a free and democratic election. Like Senator McDowell, I do not take my lead on Israel or Palestine from President Trump but it is important that we have a sensible debate. In fairness, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade have taken a strong line on Israel and Palestine. I am not sure the Bill to which the Senator refers is a good one but it was passed in this House. It is important that the Israeli people have their vote today. It is equally important that the world community upholds human rights. Like the Senators, I believe in the rights of Israel but I also believe the Palestinian people have a fundamental right that we must all try to honour as well.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of trolleys in hospitals, which are a source of concern. We have seen HSE investment in initiatives to target waiting times in emergency departments. The Senator also referred to staff recruitment. It is important to recognise that the Government has in recent years provided capacity to recruit more doctors and nurses to work in the health system. Since 2015, the number of medical and dental staff has increased by 1,132 or 12%, the number of nurses has increased by 2,291 or 6.4% and the number of health and social care professionals has increased by 1,918 or 13%. The number of health service staff in management and administration increased by 2,340 or 14% in the same period. I agree with Senator Conway-Walsh that there is a need for more investment in front-line services and I share Senator Reilly's view that a greater emphasis on primary care is needed. The Government, as Senator Reilly noted, has agreed a new GP contract which will make general practice a much more attractive career and allow for treatment at the first point of care. I thank all those involved in the contractual discussions that have taken place.

HSE recruitment needs to be targeted at specific areas. This year, we have the highest health budget in the history of the State. I am sure some Senators watched the "Reeling in the Years" programme the other night in which an infamous Minister for Health, Deputy Micheál Martin, was shown presiding over the highest ever trolley watch figures. The health system was in a morass and the subject of ongoing commentary under the then Minister.

Senators should watch that episode of "Reeling in the Years" shown last weekend. It is a bit like déjà vu.