It is nonsense.

That is a total misrepresentation, and the Deputy knows it.

That is totally disingenuous.

It is of no benefit to the families to hear the Deputy's dishonesty in Dáil Éireann.

We have met them many times.

It is simply the case that you can only audit how something is being used when it is in place. We funded a fifth theatre which is in place. There is a second MRI facility in Crumlin which we funded. Those services were not in place in 2022. In fact, they were not in place most of the way through 2023. Most of those big services started in quarter 4 of last year, so it is only from quarter 4 of last year that we can seek assurances that the resources that were put in place are being used for what they are intended.

We looked into this straight away. I sought assurances from CHI via my Department. We did not get them. I sought assurances via the board of CHI. We did not get them. I then took the unprecedented step of instructing the chief executive of the HSE to send in the HSE's internal auditors.

Deputy Doherty, in a profoundly dishonest contribution earlier-----

-----would seem to be suggesting that we could audit in 2022 the use of an MRI capacity that did not exist until the end of 2023.

I can assure the House-----

I do not want to incur the wrath of Job again so I will keep it to 60 seconds. We are aware that in some parts of the country, we do not have enough GPs. In response, over the last number of years, we have tripled the number of training places. Now, for every GP who is leaving practice and retiring, two new GPs are coming in. We have augmented that with international GPs using an international programme through the Irish College of General Practitioners. Year on year, the number of GPs is increasing. It will take t…

Deputy Troy and I have discussed this case several times. He got a detailed response from me about the process recently. Further to that, I contacted the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics last night and again this morning. I am happy to tell the House that there is good progress in the process on this medicine. There are further steps to go. I emphasised to its representatives the case in question and that there is a sick child. It is aware of the urgency of the situation. As I know the Deputy will appreciate, …

I acknowledge the Deputy's ongoing advocacy and work in this area of rare diseases. The Deputy is aware of and inputting to the new rare disease strategy. We are improving the current reimbursement process through publication and implementation of the Mazars report and the recommendations therein, adding €30 million in new development funding for medicines this year. In parallel, we are developing the rare disease strategy. Through the combination of the approval and assessment process and the new strategy, we will…

I will address the first two questions if I can. I thank Deputy Wynne for raising the issue. The service required for people with eating disorders is something we take very seriously. We have increased the number of specialist eating disorder teams. My numbers may be slightly incorrect but these have gone from two to 11. We are, of course, seeking national coverage. Where there are areas where it is more difficult, it is something the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and I are working on. We take this very serious…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". I am delighted to introduce the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill, or the smoking 21 Bill as it has been referred to. This is a short Bill with a single substantive measure. It will save thousands of lives in the coming years. We have a long and proud tradition, across all parties, of introducing strong tobacco control measures. We started this with our now globally renowned workplace smoking ban introduced by the Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, when he was…

That is not in the Bill.

It is being done.

I thank colleagues for their time today and for their contributions to the debate, which has been very useful and thoughtful. I note that there appears to be broad support for the Bill. The Government will obviously be supporting it. We have heard from several Independent Members and from the Social Democrats. We will see where other Members and parties in the Opposition are but I want to acknowledge that broad support. The one party we know is not supporting the Bill is Sinn Féin. That is entirely within its right…

It is good to be back in the Seanad. I am pleased to introduce the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 to the Seanad. The legislation, when enacted, will have four main aims. The first aim is to provide an exemption on up to €14,000 of rent a room income. That income will be a disregard for medical cards and GP visit cards in any income assessment. The second aim of the Bill is to clarify regulatory powers concerning the supply and administration of medicinal products and, critically, will provide a basis i…

I, too, welcome our guests to the Seanad today. They are from the area Senator Clifford-Lee comes from. I am sure she will be responding shortly.