Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

As Harvey waited for the surgery that he required, the curvature of his spine deteriorated from 75° to 130°. I do not know if the Taoiseach saw him. The poor wee child was literally doubled over. He struggled to breathe. He waited and waited, and he is not unique. He is unique now in as much as he is emblematic of the wholesale manner in which many other children have been failed.

TJ Coughlan from Tullamore in County Offaly is a great young man. He is 20 and was told at the age of nine that he needed surgery. He was left waiting until he was 13 and when he turned 13, it was too late. He is now inoperable and is wheelchair bound. That was catastrophic for that young man's life.

The Taoiseach said this is unacceptable. I agree with him. He is reluctant to discuss individual cases in public. I understand that, but we must remember that these families have no option but to present their pain in very public forums. The Taoiseach pointed to clinical judgment. It seemed to me he offered every excuse under the sun, but he has not answered my question. What is he going to do about it now? This is not about treading water. What decision will be made now? Can the Taoiseach explain to us how it is that the waiting list is now growing and only seven children have availed of treatment abroad, for all of the fine words and promises from this and successive Governments?

See this speech in context