James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The children and young adults in this country suffering from cystic fibrosis require these facilities in the most urgent possible sense. Unless a commitment is given that can be kept to build the 120-bedded unit, then another facility should be provided which can meet their needs.

The problems in St. Vincent's do not stop with the elderly. A haematology unit there has stopped admitting people who have neutropenia, a low white cell count, which is a complication of illness, because of two episodes of vancomysen resistant e.coli. The inpatient unit has one toilet so the problem goes deeper.

I am pleading on behalf of children and young adults with cystic fibrosis. We have lost some already and we will lose more. As a society, we cannot stand over the fact that people here in the so-called Celtic tiger economy die ten years younger than their cousins in Northern Ireland.

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