John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the families, particularly the children, to the Visitors Gallery. It was great to speak to them outside, listen to the children and see them smile and laugh. However, behind the laughs and cheer there is severe pain. I know because I am the father of a daughter with scoliosis. She has a 45-degree curve in her spine. I know the pain she has to endure day in, day out.

Up until 2008, we had an early diagnosis procedure in place whereby a public health nurse went into schools and carried out a very simple check, the Adam's forward bend test. Due to cutbacks or austerity measures, this was abandoned in 2008. Now, early diagnosis is not happening for the likes of my daughter. In some cases, it would obviate the need for intrusive procedures such as surgery. Early diagnosis was not in place for my daughter. She had to endure pain and still does. Therefore, the State has failed in terms of early intervention and is now failing to ensure surgery is carried out.

It is absolutely atrocious that parents in this day and age have to bring their kids from the four corners of the State to converge here to demand that the Minister do something to ensure their children do not have to endure the pain my child endures daily. It is absolutely shameful for the Minister to stand up here and go blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. It is another talking shop. What people, including parents but more importantly children, need is action, not more pain.

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