ALT I welcome today’s decision of the HSE Senior Management Team to recommend the use of Skyclarys, and the Government will fully support this decision. I wish to pay tribute to all those living with Friedreich's Ataxia, and their families, who have endured so much. I thank them for their engagement and their advocacy. I understand fully their concerns and anxieties in relation to gaining access to this drug, the first treatment of its kind for this condition. It has been a very challenging period for the families, and I wish to acknowledge that.

ALT We appreciate the fact that this decision came on the back of substantive engagement between the HSE and the company Biogen over the past number of days and weeks. The outcome will result in strong engagement with Biogen over the coming years in respect of the treatment of Friedreich’s Ataxia. It was important that the statutory process for approving the drug was brought to its conclusion, and we welcome this decision, first and foremost for those who need access to Skyclarys. The Minister for Health and Government will now work to support implementation of the HSE’s recommendation as quickly as possible.