Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I want to thank Deputy Reilly for putting this issue on the agenda today. I have no doubt that this motion, and the work of people like Orla Tinsley, made the Minister do a U-turn last week. I will believe it, however, if and when the service is delivered. As someone living in Monaghan where we have seen so many promises and U-turns, I know this better than most. We want to see everyone being treated equally on this island, but it is unfair that if CF sufferers live a few miles from my home - in Tyrone, Fermanagh or Armagh - they will have a chance of living ten years longer than if they live in Cavan or Monaghan. I ask the Minister to consider this since we are trying to do things on an all-Ireland basis. Our Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food co-operates on all animal health issues with its Northern Ireland counterpart, so surely we can do some co-operation in the area of cystic fibrosis to ensure that people in the Border region are facilitated to use such services in Northern Ireland where they are available.

While the Minister has no control over the autonomous HSE, I see from reports that it does not want this matter dealt with on a regional basis. The HSE wants it to be centralised, but I ask the Government to be careful about that. Some 1,100 people suffer from cystic fibrosis here, which is a serious issue. I have watched patients dying from other terminal illnesses, including muscular dystrophy, and their families rally around them. It is extremely difficult to see a young person dying, who might have had a chance of living ten years more with proper treatment. I urge the Minister not to break her word on this issue. She must find the necessary funding so that the CF unit can be built in time. It has not happened in the Killeshandra health area and other parts where promises were made.

The most laughable promise of all was made last week when the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, announced a €7 million project for a new school in Kingscourt. It is the seventh time that project has been announced. Seemingly, he was able to find the money for it, while the Minister for Health and Children could not find funding for the cystic fibrosis unit, which is extremely important. For God's sake, the Minister should keep her word for once and ensure that this service is delivered.

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