Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I have listened to all the previous speakers. In CHO 4, 5,472 are waiting for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. That does not make for good reading.

The Minister of State asked for more ideas. I have experience of cases involving young families who spent four or five years in the courts trying to get proper care. I call on the State and the HSE to stop using State solicitors and public money to fight families in appeal cases. That practice should be struck out straight away. I have in mind one particular family which won its fight but it is not the only such family I know.

It would be remiss of me not to thank Deputy Tully for introducing the motion. I am very pleased the Government is not opposing it. I agree with speakers from all sides of the House that if we work together, we can get this done. I have worked with the Minister of State and I know she is passionate about this issue. I have always been fair. We are here to represent the people outside the House. This is an urgent issue and if we can collectively work on it and do the right thing, it will reduce stress levels. We have been discussing mental health issues, stress on families, marriage break-ups and so on. Families with enough cash can go private and their child will be seen in a short time. I cannot understand the reason for the competition between the health service and private practice.

9 o’clock

If we can work together on this and do the right thing, there is certainly an urgency for it. I would like to say more, but other Deputies wish to speak.

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