Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the delegates. One of the very encouraging aspects of this engagement is the evident cohesion across all of the interests represented this morning. This is to the credit not only of Professor Gallagher and his team but also of Mr. O'Dwyer and his colleagues from the Health Service Executive. It is not always the case that there is a clear, united and determined approach to address problems within the health service. It is a great comfort to us that there is such a consensus in this instance.

There has been a tremendous focus recently on the care of cystic fibrosis patients and the Nutley wing at St. Vincent's Hospital, in particular. I am particularly interested in the care of children with cystic fibrosis which is currently provided at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin. I understand the facility can cater for up to 140 patients. However, the number of dedicated stand-alone room facilities to provide for inpatient care is much smaller. The committee has not yet been given a profile of the component parts of the proposed national children's hospital. Do the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and all of the interested parties represented have an understanding a dedicated cystic fibrosis unit will be an integral part of that facility? Moreover, is it their expectation that such a facility will cater for an increased number of inpatients, commensurate with the response at St. Vincent's Hospital for adults?

It is hugely important that there be as early a diagnosis as possible for cystic fibrosis patients. I do not claim expertise in this area; my knowledge is based mostly on my limited exposure to cystic fibrosis sufferers on a one-to-one basis. My understanding is that because the condition is genetic it is perhaps identifiable even before symptoms present because there is a readily identifiable cohort of those at risk or at greatest risk. The earliest possible intervention, even before symptoms present, is hugely important in the treatment of cystic fibrosis in the lifetime of a sufferer. I am very interested in the delegates' observations in this regard.

Mr. Jermyn has indicated that following the meeting of 3 December, it was agreed to have a follow-up meeting in a fortnight's time. Will he confirm whether the meeting which he indicated is taking place tomorrow is the follow-up meeting signalled? In regard to the 34-bed capacity of the new Nutley ward, he suggested one or two beds would always be available. In the light of the developments that will come on stream from February next year, I can envisage a situation where the word "always" comes under at least one question. My concern is that there will always be an unexpected level of demand such that it is not always possible to ensure one or two beds will be available. In measuring this need is there a sense that the current provision is measured appropriately in terms of the response needed to cater for the numbers that do and can present? We must avoid a repeat of the situation in the recent past where there were five refusals. I do not use that word to be provocative and should perhaps say five patients could not be admitted.

We in this committee are all of one mind to lend our support to the delegates in ensuring cystic fibrosis sufferers are offered the very best support by the health system. That is our purpose as elected representatives and members of the committee. I thank the delegates once again for their attendance.