Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his presentation. I have a number of questions. The replacement programme of defibrillators was mentioned. I have a problem with the current scheme and some of my constituents have raised the matter with me. When an emergency arises nobody knows where to access a defibrillator. Even if it is in a town, GAA club or wherever its location is not public knowledge. I ask the Minister to consider providing a system that will inform people where they can access a defibrillator.

Mr. O'Brien answered my question on discretionary medical cards. Constituents have contacted me about Huntington's disease and cancer and I reiterate Deputy Ó Caoláin's request to differentiate between "terminally ill" and "life-limiting" illnesses.

A delegation visited Dáil Éireann comprising doctors promoting the strategic vision framework. They agree that we need a scheme to facilitate the 14,000 people who have gone blind. It stated that we also need to provide a testing programme and strategic framework to cater for the 100,000 that may go blind. Many of the groups who work in the area operate independently but collectively they seek a framework and testing programme. I ask the Minister to consider the matter.

There does not seem to be an easily accessible pathway for people who suffer chronic pain for various reasons to access pain relief. Every group works independently and I shall give an example. Stroke sufferers may go to the National Rehabilitation Hospital but if the pain is caused by something else then the sufferer must go somewhere else. Chronic pain sufferers want a pathway to access pain relief administered by suitably trained doctors in a co-ordinated fashion.

I reiterate what my colleague, Senator Colm Burke, said about junior doctors. I wish to raise two issues, the low morale among young doctors and junior doctors and the hours that they must work. As I have said here before, no other profession must undergo a six-month and 12-month job interview. Those doctors are in a very difficult situation. It was mentioned that some of them get three year stints in different hospitals. None of the junior doctors that I know have such a lengthy contract and must do rounds of interviews every six and 12 months.

With regard to childhood obesity, I urge the delegation to consider the First 1000 Days campaign that covers the period from the first day of pregnancy, the nursing period and small infant period. It is the food and nutrition that both parties receive over that period that sets the pattern for healthy eating.

I must mention the bilateral cochlear implants and symphysiotomy. My colleague, Deputy Regina Doherty, will mention symphysiotomy later but I wish to inquire about natural symphysiotomy. As I have mentioned before to the Minister, I am aware of two women who went into hospital but left it in wheelchairs. They did not undergo the symphysiotomy procedure but were left unable to walk and want the matter addressed. The Chairman is stopping me but those are all of my questions.