Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The medical board of appeal for primary medical certificates resigned at the beginning of the month. The reason cited for the resignation of the board was a unanimous view that the criteria are too stringent and, in its view, exclude a lot of people who should be entitled to the payment.

I want to tell the Taoiseach about Dwayne, who at 14 years of age was diagnosed with two serious neurological disorders, one being a brain defect and the second a cyst that has caused significant damage to his spinal cord for the past 20 years. He is now aged 35 and has progressive symptom of numbness and dragging his right foot. He cannot drive a vehicle unless it is modified. His appeal to the board was unsuccessful. Naturally, he feels aggrieved and discriminated against. Evidently, the board was correct in its assumption that people who are worthy are not being included in the scheme. Given that almost 400 cases have to be heard, when will a new board be appointed? Will the criteria be amended to include people such as Dwayne who need and deserve a primary medical certificate?

See this speech in context