GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE, Christina Finn with you as opposition leaders ask the government about the future of water charges.
Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin is up first and he is urging the government to approve the cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi.
When can we expect a decision?
More on the latest with the Okambi issue here:
The Taoiseach said it is not the Health Minister who determines what drugs should be approved.
He says Simon Harris has told the pharma companies that there is only so far one can go. He says the company that makes Orkambi – Vertex – has made an offer.
Harris wants to do a deal with the companies so the price doesn’t increase year-on-year.
“I think he is right on that,” said Kenny, who said the minister is trying provide certainty for CF patients.
He expects a conclusion to be reached “in a matter of weeks”.
Martin says a long-term deal has already gone through the drugs committee.
He says no one has heard anything since February about where that deal is.
“We should be leading the charge on this,” says Martin.
This is an intolerable way to leave people, says Martin. The Taoiseach says what the minister is doing is “future-proofing” the costs of future drugs.
“I know it is not today, and not tomorrow,” says Kenny, but he says in a matter of weeks the government will be able to guarantee the future price of drugs.
Now the Ceann Comhairle is welcoming officials who are in the Dáil from the United Arab Emirates.
Applause rings in the chamber.
Now SF Mary Lou McDonald is up and she wants to talk about Fianna Fáil and water charges – the topic of the day.
She said SF have been clear all along… and laughter erupts in the Dáil. A bit awkward.
Have questions about where we are with water charges?
We’ve taken a look for you:
She says Coveney is trying to “shoe-horn” the committee – and calls for him to halt his interfering.
She says it is highly inappropriate.
McDonald wonders if Coveney’s “new tough guy stance” has more to do with the leadership contest.
Kenny takes a dig a Sinn Féin and says his party is a democratic one, that cannot appoint a leader.
The Taoiseach is now talking about the confidence and supply agreement, which has everyone reading the fine print.
The government said it would consider the recommendations of the expert commission and also consider the recommendations of the committee.
Then there would be a vote.
He says the committee are perfectly entitled to continue their work and bring forward their recommendations. He says Coveney was entitled to lay out a “number of principles” yesterday evening.
McDonald asks:
Are you willing to legislate for the abolition of water charges – yes or no?
Enda Kenny says Coveney has legal advice.
We set up an arrangement to deliberate on these matters… I have a strong aversion where there could be a wilful waste of water.
I know you have power down here yourself, Kenny says to McDonald.
Labour’s Brendan Howlin now wants to talk about the Bus Eireann strike.
He says people are living in fear of a strike.
This company facing possible insolvency and and all-out strike, he tells the chamber.
Howlin wants to know what Minister Shane Ross is doing about it.
“A man with a title who won’t take on the job he was given.
“Standing back is making matters worse.”
Howlin says a solution to the bus strike is not going to fall out of the sky. He calls on the Taoiseach to instruct the minster to get involved.
“Nobody wants to see this strike go ahead,” says Kenny.
“It is true that a solution won’t drop out of the sky,” admits the Taoiseach.
He says intervention by the minister is not what is needed now.
He appeals again for all parties to get around a table and work it out.
AAA-PBP Ruth Coppinger is telling Enda Kenny about the events surrounding International Women’s Day, which includes a march to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
She says there won’t be a change when he steps aside of as Taoiseach, and says those that will contest the leadership will follow the same line, despite being of a difference generation.
Coppinger reads out a message she received through her Facebook page.
“Please help… I cant sleep with worry… it is destroying me and I feel so trapped.”
The message goes on to say that she is pregnant and living with a violent partner. Coppinger says the woman doesn’t want to continue with the pregnancy.
What is your message to that woman, Coppinger asks Kenny.
“Suck it up and wait – wait for the Citizen’s Assembly?”
Kenny says Coppinger seems to have more details on the leadership contest than he does.
“There is no reason for that young women not to have supports in relation to domestic violence – you should advise her of the supports available to her.”
She shouldn’t have to live with a violent partner, he says.
Kenny adds that abortion is illegal in this country and says it is not his duty to adjudicate on the law.
We look forward to the conclusion of the Citizens’ Assembly and the Dáil will vote with its conscious.
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