Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on men's health. As a person living with multiple sclerosis, MS, I am going to speak in a personal capacity in order to raise awareness. I will also speak as a TD and use my platform to call for additional resources. I have mentioned it before - and I do not talk about it too much - but at least once a year I come in here and talk about being diagnosed with MS 18 years ago. MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Males and females often have similar symptoms, but there are some differences. As we are talking about men's health today, I will focus on some of those differences. Some of the symptoms that affect men are: vision problems; numbness or tingling; persistent aches and pains; involuntary movements, such as twitches and spasms; difficulties with mobility, walking and balance; fatigue that is not due to physical activity or lack of sleep; and changes in cognition, including brain fog. I have experienced all of these symptoms over the years. I still experience some of them today.

The reason I am talking about this matter is to say that for other men who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, MS, it is not the end of the world. Once you get into the system, you get the care. The problem sometimes is trying to get into the system and getting that diagnosis. Treatment has dramatically improved over the years and there is no doubting that since I was first diagnosed.

I always advise men, especially men newly diagnosed with MS, not to do what I did at first and do Dr. Google, because it brings you down a kind of dark path towards the worst possible outcome. They should take medical advice from their neurologists and link in with MS Ireland, which - I have to say this now, and I have always said it - has been a tremendous support to me regrading my journey with MS. I have managed to live a really active life and have enjoyed a good quality of life. I manage my symptoms to the best of my ability. I am on the third year of a four-year cycle of treatment at the moment, and the prognosis is good.

Deputy Cullinane mentioned the budget. I am trying to decipher where some of the money is going. I support the Neurological Alliance of Ireland in its call for an increase in the number of rehabilitation beds at Peamount hospital in my area from 15 to 25 . That small investment would make a huge impact for people who have MS.

See this speech in context