Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Thirteen-year-old Liam Dennehy Quinn has rapidly deteriorating scoliosis. Liam has been hospital bound for the past five and a half weeks. His curvature was at 85o in November but has had no spinal review during his five weeks in hospital. Liam has been given a surgery date of 30 May but his mother Pamela says he is deteriorating by the day and running out of time. Liam has to use oxygen and has lost the ability to use his chair. His mother cannot understand him now when he speaks because his spine is pressing so hard against his lungs. Pamela says that 30 May may seem like it is just around the corner but it is too far away when you are in Liam's dire situation. She is on a knife-edge trying to keep Liam stable for surgery, fearing that he will pick up an infection that could prevent that surgery. Liam cannot wait any longer. Every day counts. He needs his emergency surgery now. I ask the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, to intervene.

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