I invite Deputy Paul Murphy to address the committee regarding correspondence received following the meeting of the joint committee on 11 May 2022.
Business of Joint Committee
In evidence to the committee on 11 May, Mr. Oliver O’Connor, chief executive of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, expressed the view that a waiver on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, TRIPS, would not improve the Covid-19 response in Africa because in his opinion, "there are more vaccines available than the African countries are ready and capable of accepting". I argued the real reason the pharmaceutical industry opposed the waiver was because it was unwilling to give up intellectual property rights in order that it could continue to make as much profit as possible. In doing so, I also queried whether Mr. O’Connor in expressing that view was using a "racist trope". I am happy to clarify that I was not and am not accusing Mr. O’Connor of being a racist or of having racist intent.
I thank Deputy Murphy for that. As far as I am concerned, as Cathaoirleach, this matter is now closed and Mr. O’Connor will be advised accordingly. That concludes our consideration of the matter.
I propose we go into private session to consider other business. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The joint committee went into private session at 11.09 a.m. and adjourned at 11.25 a.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 15 June 2022.