Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

On Wednesday morning, during Leaders' Questions, Deputy Finian McGrath sought clarification from the Taoiseach on the statement issued by the HSE last Wednesday week that the 34 promised isolation beds for cystic fibrosis patients in the new unit at St. Vincent's hospital were to be reduced to 20. This statement was issued by the Department after the "Prime Time" programme on Wednesday evening. I heard the Minister's response to Deputy McGrath, which was that late last Friday the Taoiseach, and possibly the Minister, met with Professor Charlie Gallagher and the CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and Mr. Philip Watt along with hospital and HSE officials. There was clarification on the issue, namely, that there would be a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 34 bed units, that two bed units would be available at all times to CF patients in the hospital and that these units, whether in rooms or wards, would be infection free.

The Minister must agree the whole saga has knocked the confidence of cystic fibrosis sufferers, their families and friends. Before the election, the Minister and the Taoiseach were around the CF issue like a rash. Only the week before last the Taoiseach received a very warm welcome at the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, CFAI, conference because of the commitments the Fine Gael party had given towards a 34-bed unit at the new St. Vincent's unit. Since Wednesday I have spoken to people affected by this issue. They want more than a verbal clarification on the issue. In my experience, a verbal commitment is not worth the paper on which it is not written. Today I wish to have the Minister's commitment that a written statement will be drawn up with the agreement of the hospital, the HSE and the consultant, Professor Gallagher, with protocols put in place in respect of bed management and the two beds that are to be left infection free for CF patients. I also want clarification by 17 May of the commitment to 34 beds for CF patients. People believe this must be the case. We want a committed, unequivocal commitment from the Minister's Government, stating this will happen. That date is three weeks away and this allows time for the groups to meet.

I have spoken to people from the Cystic Fibrosis Association in the past 24 hours who want this, and they want it in writing. That is the only outcome that will calm them and revive the confidence of CF sufferers in this country who deserve to have these facilities copperfastened and in place. That should not be a problem for the Minister who had commitment before the election to these patients, as he now has. I know the matter can be dealt with and I wish to have commitment today, in this Chamber, that there will be a written statement putting in place all protocols for this matter to be dealt with in the hospital and in order that we will not have to argue the toss when people arrive in accident and emergency departments in the future.

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