Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was saddened listening to Mr. Hughes's story. He was very brave to come before the committee and give such a wonderful presentation, considering he and his wife and family have lost their beloved son. They have my sympathies. They have a really good advocate in Ms O'Mahony, who seems to be so committed and dedicated to this. Deputy McAuliffe and I will certainly bring forward this within our parliamentary party, and I know the Chairman will do likewise with his party, because I fully agree with Mr. Hughes on this matter. It might seem strange to say this, but when sepsis was known as septicemia, more people knew about it. I would have heard my mother and my neighbours talking about it. Nowadays, however, in general conversation I hear people ask what is sepsis. I do not know as much as Mr. Hughes about it, but it seems I often hear stories of somebody who was admitted to a hospital with an ailment and was due to get out in a day or two but, shockingly, dies, and then it turns out to have been sepsis.

That is the reality and it is happening more and more often. Unfortunately, the witnesses are right, many people do not understand what sepsis is. I am sure the Cathaoirleach and all members of this committee will have no difficulty with Deputy McAuliffe saying we will move towards ensuring there is a better public campaign and that we will engage with Irish Sepsis Foundation, ISF, on whatever else it believes should be done. Everything the witnesses say should be taken on board and should be done. I compliment Mr. Hughes on what he has done and Ms O’Mahony on what she is doing.

In regard to the publicity campaign, will the witnesses spread the campaign throughout the country, into schools and communities? I believe that is how to do it, in order that people know exactly what sepsis is and that it can be treated if dealt with quickly. However, as the witnesses said, the understanding is not there. I presume they would like that campaign to be as widespread as possible.

I have one question in regard to the cost of a conference. I see that a display stand and brochures cost €12,100. That is fine, I am not questioning the cost of it. However was that in different locations throughout the country or was it at a show? Have we a breakdown of that figure? It appears here a few times. It is based on a brochure. Was it at a conference or some sort of public awareness campaign that might be in some parts of the country?