“No Answers, 2 Weeks After the Cost of Indemnification of Pharmaceutical Companies was raised in the Dáil”

“No Answers, 2 Weeks After the Cost of Indemnification of Pharmaceutical Companies was raised in the Dáil” – Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has said “It is shocking that 2 weeks after I first asked Mícheal Martin what is the cost of the Indemnification of Pharmaceutical Companies in relation to the Covid-19 Vaccine, there has been no answers from the government at all.

Speaking today Deputy Tóibín said:

“I’m concerned about the fact that the State intends to indemnify the private companies providing vaccines for Covid-19. I’m concerned for three reasons. First of all there has been no political discussion or debate about the issue. When a government indemnifies a private company it takes away the economic imperative from that company to ensure that the product is 100% safe. By indemnifying a private company the State leaves itself exposed to millions of euros of costs resulting from lawsuits. This is a blank cheque”.

Deputy Tóibín continued: “In the Dáil I have asked the Taoiseach to provide an estimate for how much potential costs could arise for the State following this decision. He confirmed to me that the government have indemnifed the companies because it is part of the European Pre-purchase Agreement. The Taoiseach, in his reply to me, seemed to suggest that without the agreement of member states to commit to indemnifying the companies, then we would not get access to this vaccine. We need confirmation if this indeed is the case. Has the vaccine been refused to Ireland without indemnification? I can understand a potential price differentiation in such a circumstance”.

“Why would a private company refuse to indemnify its own product but to reduce financial risk to them. These pharmaceutical companies stand to make hundreds of millions of euro of profit but will be but will be immune to any potential legal proceedings or claims”. The government is by definition taking on this risk on. This is not theoretical. The government is already on the hook financially for previous vaccine indemnification”.

“This matter warrants serious debate in the house. We should learn lessons – we know the Minister for Health intends on launching an inquiry into the epilepsy drug which may result in hundreds of compensation payouts. Will the Taoiseach remarks in his response to me today come back to haunt him in the future. This a very serious decision and one in which the people of Ireland should know the potential cost concluded Tóibín.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.