I have spoken to the Minister about Paudie Coady. He is 16 years old and has been diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia. His brother passed away from the same condition last year. It is a terminal condition. It is unbelievable that his father, Craig, has buried one son, has another son who is dying and that his wife is now in care because she has Huntington's disease. I cannot even get my mind around the tragedy facing this family. I know why Craig gets up every day. He gets up every day because he wants to do his very best for Paudie and for his wife. There is now a drug that can reduce Paudie's symptoms, give him a longer life and improve his quality of life. I have spoken to the Minister and to the Taoiseach and other people have raised this issue in here in respect of different people. Paudie can walk for about ten minutes. He can go to school and can just about go on a holiday. He can do a few things. He is looking at his friends growing into big strong men while he declines. Paudie should be given access to the drug Skyclarys under the compassionate access programme. We know this drug would have a huge positive effect on Paudie's quality of life. I know the Minister is a compassionate woman. She is a compassionate Minister. We need to make this drug available to Paudie on an exceptional basis. The Minister has the power to do this. It has happened in other European countries. Will the Minister talk to the Department about approving the drug under the compassionate access programme to give Paudie a longer life and a better quality of life? I know we are all going to die but this child is going to die and there is a drug that could really help. I spoke to Craig, Paudie's father, a while ago. He feels that those in the Government who have met with him have been genuinely sympathetic and supportive. I do not want to dismiss that here. I do not want to make politics of this. However, at the end of the day, the Minister has this ability under the compassionate access programme. No family or child should be denied hope because of money issues. I sincerely ask the Minister to consider this.

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The power is there.

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