John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While the Taoiseach is in a good mood because of the results in the European elections, he might be able to help me out before he does anything else electorally. I speak specifically of the children with spinal muscular atrophy, SMA. This is raised in this House every week. I am not just speaking on my own behalf because Deputies Calleary, Aylward, Lisa Chambers and Ó Caoláin have raised this also. We are meeting the parents of the affected children. The matter has been on the agenda for a long time. The Taoiseach, as a medical doctor, will realise that the physical condition of the children is deteriorating. The one thing they do not have on their side is time. I have met the affected children in my area. Their condition is deteriorating. In the response, the Minister of State will say negotiations are ongoing under the 2013 Act and that there will be a meeting and the HSE will revert to him. This has gone on month after month and we have not had a positive outcome. If after the next meeting this is not resolved, will the Taoiseach amend the legislation? Ireland is the only country in Europe that has not been able to make what I propose available. If the legislation is impeding what should and must happen soon, will the Taoiseach amend it?

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