Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their moving and heartbreaking accounts of their experience. It must be very difficult to be extremely ill and to have to fight a health service. The witnesses have had the resources to be able to deal with Lyme disease, but imagine the case of those depending on the public service who must face a complete brick wall to try to find health. The question has been posed whether the diagnosis of Lyme disease is settled science and, if it is, why there is an ignorance among the medical profession about this disease? This lack of knowledge is leading to a personal negative experience as well as major costs within society.

It is frustrating to hear that it was debated in the Oireachtas - in the Seanad - in 2009. Given that people are living with this disease every day as time ticks on, it is frustrating that the Oireachtas has failed to do more on it. Some interesting suggestions have been made about the research that needs to be carried out. I am not a member of this committee, but I think it would be great if it were to support the calls that have been made for increased research.