Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. It is hard to believe that conditions that have such a massive impact on people's lives, on the health service and on our economy are so neglected. It is difficult to figure out why that is the case. Do the witnesses have views on that? There obviously is an impact for the individual in terms of death rates and disability. As this then takes up so much of the health service and given the costs involved, why is it not being addressed? Do the witnesses have any views on that? I know both organisations have said that there is an absence of political will but it seems to be a no-brainer that these are two major areas that need to be addressed. There needs to be a clear strategy and it needs to be funded. That is in everybody's interest. Is there just a blind spot somewhere in the Department?