Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

I am glad to get the opportunity to talk on this very important motion. I thank Sinn Féin for bringing it before us. I welcome all the people who had to come here to the Gallery, all the girls and women. We are sorry they had to come to highlight their condition and their problem, but why not, because they are very welcome here. It is sad to hear and see what they have had to suffer. We see a figure like 10% of women, but if it was only 2% of women, it would still be too many. Pain or anyone suffering pain is absolutely a no-no and we should do everything possible to ensure any women who present with endometriosis are looked after as a priority.

I was appalled when I heard the Deputies here saying people were often frowned upon as if it was in their heads or they were only imagining it. That is not right. When there are so many people presenting with it, one would think the GPs would be more informed and understand the different symptoms that suggest endometriosis.

I am appealing to the Minister, who is a woman, and to the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, who is beside her, as well as to the Government more widely to do whatever is necessary to look after these people. It galls me to hear that women in times gone by had to suffer pain. When families depend on the mother so much, and the woman in the home - and we all do - we have to appreciate them and look after them. This is a very serious thing. The Minister has to prioritise it and ensure whatever is lacking or wherever we are falling down, be that with our GPs, our consultants, our hospitals or whatever, is prioritised.

This has been going on for long enough. It is terrible to hear that the women who came before us suffered pain and agony and did so silently. I feel for anyone who has pain. I know people who have passed on who suffered fierce pain. The last thing we want to hear is of anyone suffering in pain. With all the things we have today and our affluent society, this matter will have to be looked at and taken care of.

The Minister is a woman in the Cabinet. We are looking to her to sort out all the problems with the health service. I ask her to prioritise the problems women with endometriosis have and to sort them out as soon as she can. I appeal to her not to oppose the motion or put forward any amendments. We must work together to ensure this issue is sorted out and that the women here today, and any other women who are suffering and need to be treated, get treatment. We need to move on from the time when people were suffering in silence.

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