Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government promised a better health service. Parkinson's sufferers in Ireland feel like second-class citizens and they have to suffer silently in a country that ignores their pain. In most European countries, deep brain stimulation operations are offered to Parkinson's sufferers but this vital operation is not available here. In Northern Ireland, there are 31 specialised Parkinson's nurses, whereas in the Republic, there are only five, three of whom are based in Dublin.

When will Parkinson's sufferers be treated like their counterparts throughout the world?

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