Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am listening with great interest to this debate. I am listening not only as a TD but also as a parent. I was there. I have two beautiful young children. One is seven and one is six. My young son has cystic fibrosis. My son was called to Cappagh hospital to see the consultant under investigation. I went there with my wife. We met the consultant. He told us, literally straight away, that my son needed surgery. I asked, like any parent would, about the pluses and the minuses. He explained them. I said, "Leave the decision with us." It was a long drive back to Wexford. As we drove in the gateway to our house, I told my wife, "We are not going ahead." My son has cystic fibrosis, as I mentioned, and he had been through enough. I am a lucky parent but my heart - I am emotional on this - goes out to every other parent who has been affected. It is so wrong.

I wrote a speech, but I am speaking from my heart. It is wrong, on so many levels, that someone can look a child in the eye and say "We need to do surgery on you", when surgery is not needed. I appeal to the Dáil to let justice take its course. Thankfully, I am in here and I will do everything I can to help justice take its course.

This is simply horrific. It is unfair. I am upset but I am also annoyed. It is so wrong, as I said, to attack the most vulnerable in society. Let justice take its course. I am speaking from the heart on this.

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