John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a famous clip on YouTube featuring an eight-month old deaf baby's reaction to a cochlear implant being activated. In the clip, the boy's mother is holding him as his ear implant is activated and when she says hello to him, he flashes his mother a huge smile. To watch both the child's and the mother's reaction as he hears sound for the first time is truly humbling. That clip was recorded in 2008 and has been viewed by millions of people all over the world. It is such a wonderful example of medical science to see it in action. I urge all Government Deputies today to go back to their offices, turn on their computers, watch that clip and then come back and make a decision as to how they will vote on this motion.

The current long waiting time for cochlear implantation means that Irish children and their parents are missing out on something that many of us take for granted - speaking time. These children suffered a random natural injury that puts limitations on their lives but medical science came up with a solution. It is horrifying that the State places more emphasis on bailing out bankers and bondholders than it does on giving hearing back to Irish children.

Hearing impairment has a significant impact on language development. Scientists have pointed out that there is a sensitive period during which language develops. This period should coincide with the implantation of two cochlear implants to maximise a child's ability to acquire language. This was brought to the attention of the House a few months ago by the leader of Sinn Féin, Deputy Adams. At that time, the Taoiseach made all sorts of complimentary remarks about Beaumont Hospital. He spoke about how sad it was that this was happening and how something should be done about it. Deputy Flanagan spoke about people who are blind but if we found a cure for blindness, would we seriously say to people, "We have a cure but we will only put the sight back in one eye?" It is outrageous. What the Government is doing is appalling and it is very offensive to the families of children who are affected by this condition.

See this speech in context