Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of our witnesses. Deputy Cullinane said there are rare times in this committee when we are taken aback and shocked by what we hear. Deputy Durkan said it too. Today is one of those days. I have known Mr. Staunton a long time. He has campaigned on many issues over the 20 years I have known him. However, this is clearly the most important he has ever been involved in. He has already saved lives. That is a tribute to the memory of his son, who should never have lost his life. There are a lot of issues, difficulties and challenges in this country. We can deal with them if we want to. In 2005 or 2006, we developed a national cancer strategy, which has been phenomenally successful. The survival rates from cancer in this country are now enormous compared with what they were. Sepsis needs the same approach. There needs to be an awareness campaign. The protocols in place in New York need to be in every hospital in this country. It needs to happen quickly. This should not be incremental over a number of years. This is what the committee can do.

The HSE is coming in after this group but we can follow up by bringing in the Minister. We can do a report and use every avenue we have to support what needs to be done. Of course, the witnesses should not have to do that but, unfortunately, people's stories are sometimes the catalyst lighting the match to create the change.

I campaign a lot on sight loss. Some 80% of sight loss in this country is also preventable. However, from what I have heard today, 100% of sepsis deaths are preventable. Let us deal with this issue head on and, once and for all, have the necessary supports, campaigns, protocols and interventions when they are needed and in a timely fashion.