Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The key issue is that this is a race against time. We should have that focus when we make decisions. It is the difference between a child retaining his or her hearing and losing it. We must act on that. It is unacceptable for families to leave this debate unsure what will happen. I listened to the speech of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and there are some positive things in it for the families. She talked about a model of care for paediatrics nationally. She also talked about the objective of the right child, the right place and the right time. Is anybody going to tell the families in the Gallery that their child is not the right child, that they do not live in the right place, that this country is not the right place for them or that it is not the right time? The time is now. We need to make this decision.

Speakers have said this technology is life-changing for these children, so what is the argument against it? The argument is that it will cost €18,000 to €20,000. The money for this is in the Irish economy. Does it mean we have to tax somebody else who has the money? Why can we not do that? It is about choices. Society disables, and that is what is happening here. Some people said this was being turned into a political issue. Politics and politicians have failed these 200 families. There is a responsibility on all of us in the House to move this forward. The point of today's motion is to try to move it across the line. It is a political issue and must be tackled by politicians in here.

We have heard the argument that the provision of only one implant limits a child's ability to distinguish where noises are coming from and to hear in busy or noisy places such as shopping centres and classrooms. That is key.

Hearing is a vital sense for all, but we continue to work against best international practice and limit many children's ability to reach their full potential and communicate with others. This is what the argument is about. This is the right thing to do and would be good for the child and society. It would create conditions that would allow children to reach their full potential. No matter what people say, there is no argument against this. The old argument is made that it cannot be done at this time, that we must wait another while or that the Government will look at the issue or that a move might be made on it next year. That is not good enough for these families. It is unfair to put people through this situation. I believe this is an issue that can be sorted out by politicians. If Members are as concerned as they say they are, we can move forward on it.

Many years ago, during my first term as a Member of the House, I had responsibility as spokesperson on a number of portfolios. I recall being invited to attend an annual general meeting of the Irish Deaf Society in the Aisling hotel in Dublin. I attended that meeting and was told I was the first Deputy who had ever turned up to an annual general meeting of the society. I do not know if that is true, but it is what I was told. I was shocked to hear that no politician had ever officially turned up to its annual general meeting. The people in the Irish Deaf Society have found their voice now and the families here representing their children have gathered together on this campaign. It is not acceptable for people to come in and vote against this motion. This is the right thing to do. People need to look into their hearts and decide what is the right thing to do.

Speakers have talked about their motivations. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, spoke about what motivated her involvement in politics. This is an issue that should motivate all of us. If we cannot make a decision on this today, we must work collectively and come up a solution that will give some ray of hope to these families and their children.

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