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

I thank Professor Turner for his presentation. Senator Crown summed it up earlier when he said that some people make long statements but in his short statement, Professor Turner was direct and enlightening.

I have young teenagers who some day may become pregnant. Unplanned pregnancy is a major issue, as not everybody plans when she will have a baby; it just happens. Can we identify the age cohorts who would not take folic acid? Let me ask with the greatest respect if people in poorer areas do not take folic acid. Do more people in Dublin than in other parts of the country take it and is there a reason for that?

There is a cost to the HSE when a child is born with spina bifida, but it also changes the lives of families when a child is born with specific disabilities and needs. From my background as a volunteer working with teenagers in youth clubs and schools, particularly with transition year students, I am aware of the need for young people to access information and education as they go from school to college. It is a sad reflection on society that we do not educate people on how to prevent the incidence of such dreadful conditions, and by taking folic acid in tablet form we could prevent spina bifida and other neural conditions.

I thank Professor Turner for his very interesting presentation.