Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)

-----but I am a bit distracted, to be totally honest. I want to address the Minister because I am appealing to her. The attitudes that are being encountered are so dismissive. It is not as if members of the medical profession, or a large section of the profession, were unaware or that this is a new disease or condition. It was not as if there was no knowledge of the best kind of treatment. The Minister has spoken forcefully in the past about us exporting issues relating to women's health. That is what is happening here. I know of instances where women have struggled to get the money they have expended back. That has been a difficulty.

The attitude that is there needs to be addressed but there is also a systemic issue. What these women are facing is simply not good enough. There are differences of opinion in terms of approach, but I urge the Minister to take this on as a key priority because what is happening is absolutely shocking.

See this speech in context