Spinraza decision
Senators Conway-Walsh, Ó Ríordáin and Craughwell pressed for a decision on Spinraza and asked whether the EU or British decision mattered. The Deputy Leader said the Minister shared the frustration, promised a positive outcome, and then moved on toward the residential tenancies amendment.
They do not care about any of this. They just want the drug. We have to find a way for the system to allow families to receive drugs. The amount of time this has taken is not forgivable, in my opinion. I spoke to the Minister about this yesterday.
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Does the Deputy Leader agree that the British decision is relevant?
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It has a lot to do with the global pharmaceutical companies. These big players play the system. The Senator has mentioned that Ireland and Estonia are the only countries not to have made this provision. That is terrible, but it is part of the global game the insurance companies are playing because they want countries-----
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What is the EU doing about it?
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I am agreeing with Senators. I have spoken directly to the Minister, who shares my frustration. He was very frustrated when I spoke to him about this yesterday. I am confident that we should have a decision on this. I am wired in a very hopeful type of way. I am very hopeful of a positive outcome when it comes down to it. When one looks at the video of Grace O'Malley, one can see the actual deterioration. I have only met her once. It is unforgivable. We are talking about a small number of people. I will move on to what Senator Craughwell said about the residential-----