Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)

I fully support what my colleague, Deputy Kenny, said regarding supporting the Minister on her work in this area. It is very important that work takes place on that side of the House, as well as the Government being held to account. I was present in the Chamber when the Minister made one of the most impactful speeches to the House I have ever seen. We will not allow this to stand in our Parliament or out on the streets regarding what has been done on trans healthcare.

I would like to use my time to talk about the impact of cardiovascular disease on men's health. Each year, 9,000 to 10,000 people in Ireland die from cardiovascular-related illnesses and diseases. Some three quarters of them are men. Of the men aged between 51 and 64, 42% are obese and a further 44% are overweight. One in five men, or 21%, are currently smokers, which significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. I spoke during the debate on the budget and said we have failed in the State's target to make Ireland tobacco free. We are miles behind. Tobacco consumption and smoking rates in this country are still far too high. This is a contributory factor to cardiovascular disease.

Men are more likely to be dependent on alcohol and experience alcohol-related injuries. Mortality rates are greater among men - 36% of adult men drink alcohol regularly compared to 27% of adult women. Blood pressure is higher in men compared to women. The intake of cholesterol is higher in men compared to women and 78% of men aged 45 and older have high cholesterol.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest killers. The Irish Heart Foundation is doing sterling work in trying to educate people in this House and change health policy and attitudes while trying to ensure that we have the necessary screening programmes, education and health supports to reduce cardiovascular disease rates and deaths down. We need the Government to take this far more seriously.

Deputy Sherlock referred to prostate cancer and screenings. We need a State-run prostate cancer screening programme up and running as soon as possible. Screening saves lives and saves the healthcare system time and money. It must be implemented.

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