Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have not questioned the competence of anybody but in the line of questioning and discourse this morning, others have. The implication is that some people are practicing what other physicians believe to be based on inaccurate medicine. Those present are saying that long-term antibiotic use could be damaging and others take a different view. I say there were 100 publications but the witnesses said this is not the case. Professor Butler stated that Dr. Cameron was censured, and he was, but it was not for that matter. It would be fair to point that out for the record and it would be misleading for us to leave the committee with the impression that it was based on his findings on long-term treatment with antibiotics. I am not querying anyone's competence and especially not that of Senator Colm Burke, and I know that he did not intend to question mine.

I have a concern regarding the division of discourse, particularly in the context of the 12 people from the Department versus Dr. Lambert. Numerous people have contacted the joint committee and we set up anad hoc cross-party action group online because Members from all parties and none were being approached by individuals who stated that they had Lyme disease. There are two people in this room who have gone abroad for treatment and who recovered. Perhaps Professor Butler is correct in stating that it is all in their minds, but perhaps she is not.

This country has paid a heavy price for choosing to dismiss or not listen to dissenting voices. There are two tests, namely, the western blot test and the ELISA test. The Infectious Diseases Society of America has stated that the latter test is sub-optimal . The only thing that is agreed is that there is no definitive test. What is the problem with clinical diagnosis? If the symptoms fit, what is the problem with applying the range of treatments? Dr. Sheehan may favour one and Dr. Lambert may favour another but the proof of the pudding is that patients are being helped. I am not a physician but I have met people affected by this disease. One of them is present. He was previously in a wheelchair and now he is not. I am concerned regarding the number of physicians from various hospitals and bodies who have turned out today to rubbish the patient experience, on one hand, and Dr. Lambert's view, on the other. The fact that we are choosing, in the words of Professor Butler, to view the patient experience as something to be taken with a pinch of salt is regrettable.