Ms Doireann O'Mahony:

If I could just add to that, a Chathaoirligh, please. That is precisely why we are so pleased to hear that the HSE might be invited to appear before the committee because we are not medical professionals. We are ordinary people and are not really the appropriate people to answer questions like that. That is why it is so important for us that the HSE would work with us. Particularly in the case of Mr. Hughes, both he and Karen have managed to channel their grief over the loss of their son into something so positive over the past number of years with their campaign, and also with their involvement with the charity. For every Mr. Hughes, there are countless other people around the country who have not managed to do that, and who have suffered silently in the background in the throes of grief. We owe it to them.

That is why I feel that it is so important that people like Mr. Hughes should not be kept at arm’s length from the process. He is a person with real lived experience of losing somebody to sepsis. If the HSE plan on using moneys for a purpose, people like Mr. Hughes should have an input and a say as to how the money is used. His stated wish has been for this television advertisement. We are all in agreement that it would be a sensible and cost-effective use of the funding.

The radio advertisement we had on RTÉ Radio 1 in the lead up to Christmas was great. We managed to negotiate a very good package directly with RTÉ and many people heard that advertisement. It generated a great deal of traction through our social media and so forth. It would amplify that so much more if the foundation’s wish was granted and if the HSE came in, sat down, looked Mr. Hughes in the whites of his eyes, and agreed to work collaboratively with him.