Ms Magdalen Rogers:

I want to pick up on the point made by Dr. Doherty that this is a good news story which I believe we must acknowledge.

With regard to the neurological health services, the Neurological Alliance of Ireland has been in existence for many years. We used to attend committees like this but we lacked a focus in terms of an initiative within the health services that would tackle the needs of people with neurological conditions. The clinical programmes in neurology, rehabilitation, epilepsy and stroke represent a vital initiative which should not fall down through a lack of resources and the health service is accountable for delivering on the initiative.