Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of a case, and these are individual cases where this information is coming from, of someone who has had clots on the lungs. An attempt was made to try to drain those clots, and this, in itself, had an impact. This person is taking about 20 different tablets daily. It is frightening that someone who did not experience any initial symptoms has now had their heart and lungs affected. In this unusual situation, the experts here do not seem to be able to come up with solutions and people look abroad for expertise. I get the sense that some countries are probably more advanced regarding this issue. We are still trying to compile a report regarding symptoms and the number of people affected. Other countries seem to be much more advanced. People listening to us at home, and some may not be at the extreme end of this experience, will be hoping there will be a stream to cater for individuals in this situation. We heard earlier there is no such stream for children. As a layperson, I would imagine we would have had a stream for children if this condition is impacting them as well. This is also probably a recommendation that will arise.

To return to what I said at the start, frustration seems to arise because many people impacted have been in this situation for two years and we are only now getting around to producing a report and to putting the clinic together. This is the frustration I am trying to express. It is not a criticism of the witnesses. I understand the delays in respect of trying to recruit people, etc. I am highlighting the frustration felt by the patients in this situation, in this limbo. They are going to their GPs or trying to get to specialists, and so on, but they seem to be getting moved around. Not only are they getting a sense that they are not being listened to, but no one seems to have the answers and these answers may not exist.