James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her response. There is one chink of light for the many people in this country who suffer with cystic fibrosis, the people who love them and those who try to treat them, and this is that the Minister has the power to change the HSE's suggestions and plans.

Since this issue came to the airwaves last year, two of the brave young women who were on "Liveline" with Joe Duffy have passed away. We know this unit was costed at €40 million. We know from the Minister's own testimony at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that building costs have decreased by 25% so we are now looking at a cost of a mere €30 million. We know that in the current climate builders, if pushed and pressed, will take deferred payment to keep their employees at work. I must put it to the Minister that failure to address this issue and progress this development will impact on all other facilities for cystic fibrosis in the country.

We can defer payments but these young Irish citizens die ten years sooner than their cousins 40 miles up the road. They cannot defer their demise if this facility is not built for them. I plead with the Minister to use her good offices to examine what the HSE has planned and where the cutbacks are planned and make this an absolute priority. Some of the people who would be outspoken about this issue this week and next week may not be with us next year if she does not make that decision.

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