Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Lyme disease is causing fierce problems for many people in County Kerry. It is not even recognised by the Department of Health as a disease, never mind providing treatment for it. Many people have to travel abroad for treatment, to Germany and the USA, at a massive cost. Councillor Maura Healy-Rae brought a motion to Kerry County Council before Christmas last year and she was supported by the members. Kerry County Council wrote to the Minister for Health, asking that he receive a deputation or that a meeting be convened of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health to discuss the problem. Since then, the council has received no reply. I also want to highlight that old fallen timber in 26 acres of the Killarney National Park is a habitat for Lyme disease. People accessing Killarney National Park and, indeed, other parks should be made aware of the danger of Lyme disease.

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