Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I want to take this opportunity to voice my concern about the appalling state of cystic fibrosis services in this country. As a parent, I count myself lucky to have five healthy children who go to school, play sports and live independent lives. However, some parents are not as lucky. In my constituency of Dublin South-Central, I recently met a brave but distraught mother with two young children aged three and six who suffer from cystic fibrosis. She stays at home to look after them on a 24-seven basis while her husband works hard to support them. She cannot avail of basic services such as child care, a crèche or even a playschool because her children would not receive the care and attention they require. When I asked her how she copes, she told me she does the best she can because she has no choice.

This Government has failed thousands of parents by not providing the necessary basic services which could help cystic fibrosis patients to lead a normal life. It is sad to think this debate has come about because two brave young people suffering from cystic fibrosis felt they had no option but to highlight to the media the lack of services and the problems they face on a daily basis. I know the Minister for Health and Children does not have a crystal ball but I hope to God she has vision because that is what is needed. Why are cystic fibrosis patients required to contact a radio programme or write to The Irish Times before the Government will act? If it was not for the courage of these people, I doubt we would be debating this issue now. Their voices were heard loud and clear by those who listened to "Liveline" or read the newspapers.

The Minister needs to take action before more people die unnecessarily. Cystic fibrosis is Ireland's most common life threatening inherited disease, yet after 11 years the Government has not even started to help suffering patients who struggle on a daily basis. More than 1,100 people have cystic fibrosis in Ireland, the highest proportion of patients per head of population worldwide. Unbelievably, the average life expectancy for a person with cystic fibrosis in the Republic of Ireland is 21 years, whereas only an hour away in Northern Ireland people are living to the age of 33 and beyond. Ireland is at the bottom of the list when it comes to cystic fibrosis and caring for people.

Unfortunately, this Government operates on a knee-jerk basis. Suddenly, 120 isolation beds for cystic fibrosis patients have received approval in St. Vincent's hospital. These beds have been promised for the past ten years and we will have to wait until 2010 before they are in place. The Minister is only paying lip-service to the crisis. She must take responsibility and improve the service as a matter of urgency. I call on her to implement the recommendations of the Pollock report to give people hope and the chance to lead a full and active life.

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