Dr. Liam Plant:

Given the expertise on offer at this meeting, we have focused on kidney transplants, in particular. However, it is important to acknowledge that dialysis can be provided for those who cannot have a kidney transplant, whereas our fellow citizens who have cystic fibrosis or are dealing with heart or liver failure are in more difficult circumstances. The absence of a transplant does not mean they will cost the State X euro in replacement therapy; it means a loss to their families or communities. We have not focused on this issue sufficiently. We should not forget the people in question. The Republic of Ireland has the highest frequency of cystic fibrosis in the world. This is another group of people who present a particular charge to the success of this project.