Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations and for sharing their very personal experiences with us today. The witnesses made reference to the borrelia ELISA and the borrelia Western Blot tests. They suggested that the latter test results in a higher rate of detection. Would they recommend that this test be available in Ireland and how important a tool is it?

The witnesses said that if people are not cured of Lyme disease within four weeks, they go on to develop psychiatric problems. I ask them to elaborate on that point. The need for more awareness and public education was stressed by the witnesses, which is very sensible. How do they think such an initiative could be rolled out? I ask them to give practical examples of how it might work.

I have a lot of sympathy for Ms Moloney's predicament. What she went through was absolutely dreadful. It is also dreadful that Lyme disease is not included in the long-term illness scheme. Some consultants seem to have an unhelpful attitude to detection and obtaining second opinions. Would a Lyme disease task force assist in changing that situation?

Will Mr. Casey describe the symptoms of Lyme disease in animals? Are they different from the symptoms presenting in human beings? What curricular changes would be required to educate veterinary surgeons on Lyme disease? How aware are they of this disease?

Having read the submissions, I was quite upset to learn that doctors considered that patients presenting with symptoms which they were not able to identify as Lyme disease were putting it on, so to speak. I think that is heart-rending.

The Borreliose Centrum Augsburg, BCA, seems to be a good institution. We should consider adopting some of its practices and treatments in the short term. Did the witnesses suffering from Lyme disease receive financial support from the State to travel abroad for treatment? Would they encourage people to seek treatment abroad for this disease?

Ms Lisa Vandegrift Davala made a number of salient points, including the shortcomings of the ELISA test. What countries with high exposure to Lyme disease have dealt with it well? How can we learn from what they did to combat it?