Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because Senator Colm Burke covered one or two of the points I wished to raise.

When I was growing up, I regarded Parkinson's disease as an older person's disease. The first time I really understood it was when a good friend of mine got it at a very young age. The world opened its eyes to the disease when actor Michael J. Fox got it. It was driven home to many young people then that the disease was not peculiar to older people.

We had great presentations three weeks ago, as Deputy Ó Caoláin stated. What impressed me most was the presentation by the lady with Parkinson's disease. I cannot remember her name. She outlined how deep brain stimulation had changed her life. It changed not only her life, but also circumstances for her family. She referred to having regained the ability to dress and wash herself and sew on buttons, which we take for granted every day. I went home thinking about how privileged we were to hear the lady's insight into the effect of deep brain stimulation on her and her family.

Most things are down to cost, which we all understand, but as Deputy Ó Caoláin said, remarks were made on the last occasion on having two nurses, one in the South and another in the North. Senator Burke is always talking about doctors and other health professionals. I am always amazed at the work nurses do before patients even see a consultant or anybody else. We must acknowledge that.

I would love it if those who want deep brain stimulation, whose number seems to have has increased by 60%, did not have to travel, particularly across the water. I accept that the North is not too far away. I hope that we will soon be able to have a facility in Dublin. If we do not have the relevant expertise, perhaps surgeons could travel here to carry out the work. It is wonderful work and a huge step in the right direction for those living with Parkinson's disease.

I was speaking briefly to a friend of mine who has just contracted the disease. She was a nurse. She spoke of deep brain stimulation with great respect and interest. She referred to what it would do for her as an individual living alone.

I welcome the delegates and thank them again for outlining the benefits of examining all the figures. It is important that we continue to work together as a committee to have a facility in the southern part of the island.