Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Would the Minister accept that the manner in which we have treated cystic fibrosis patients and their parents and families is a national disgrace and scandal? Is she aware there are over 1,100 patients with cystic fibrosis in this country at the moment, the highest proportion of patients per head of population of any other country? Is she aware that a person born in Ireland with cystic fibrosis has an average life expectancy that is ten years less than a patient in similar circumstances suffering from cystic fibrosis in the United Kingdom or in Northern Ireland and does she regard that as acceptable?

Does the Minister acknowledge that, as is the position in adult hospitals, many of the cystic fibrosis units, including those relating to paediatrics and the clinic in Crumlin hospital, do not have ring-fenced, dedicated inpatient wards with single en suite rooms to prevent cross-infection? Will she acknowledge there is a need to urgently establish such facilities in tandem with providing them for adult patients who suffer from cystic fibrosis?

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