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

Delegates from Chronic Pain Ireland appeared before the committee a couple of months ago. Approximately two years prior to that meeting I attended a conference on the issue. The view of people who spoke at that conference was that the problem of chronic pain was not recognised in Ireland. The conference was attended by experts from Australia who were also of the view that the problem was not recognised here. The group was then invited to appear before the committee at which time it put its case to the then Minister, Deputy James Reilly, who had the matter investigated. The problem of chronic pain is now recognised in Ireland. Are doctors in Ireland inclined to dismiss the issue? I refer to the story about Mark as outlined in the three-page letter sent to us by his mother. I am sure he is experiencing exactly what is set out therein. Are doctors in Ireland quick to dismiss the idea that someone is suffering from chronic pain?