Mr. Philip Watt:

I will answer some of the questions on cystic fibrosis. Senator Crown raised the issue of access to beds in St. Vincent's Hospital prior to Christmas. Our association raised this in the public media and it is a good example of how effective the work of the committee can be, as calling the management of St. Vincent's Hospital before it to account for its actions was very helpful. I am glad to say since the issue was raised by our association and the committee there have been no problems in St. Vincent's Hospital and people have had access to the beds. I acknowledge Dr. McKone who has played a very important role as a clinician in ensuring this happened. We will continue to monitor matters very closely and we are not complacent about it at all.

Deputy Doherty asked about the Beaumont Hospital inpatient beds. We are glad to say Liam Duffy at Beaumont Hospital has agreed to put the number of beds into the development plan for the hospital. We would very much welcome a letter from the committee to the HSE regional director of operations and the hospital to state it should be a priority. It would be very helpful in getting momentum. I acknowledge Professor Gerry McElvaney who has played a leading role in pushing the issue. He is a cystic fibrosis consultant in Beaumont Hospital.

Deputy Byrne made a very important point on health promotion and donor awareness. Donor awareness is left to NGOs such as the Irish Kidney Association and ourselves with virtually no support from the HSE. In Britain advertisements are shown on television encouraging organ donor awareness and there is a national register on which one can donate one's organs on line. None of this exists in Ireland. It is a disgrace.