Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Last week was cystic fibrosis awareness week and most of us met members of the Cystic Fibrosis Association in Buswells Hotel. I accept I am a little late with my request for a debate on cystic fibrosis and the lack of services for sufferers, which I regret will have to wait until the autumn.

We are all aware that cystic fibrosis is a terrible disease that affects many young people who carry it into their early adulthood. A report was carried out in recent months by a physician in the UK. The number of people affected with cystic fibrosis in Ireland would suggest we need 25 consultant respiratory physicians when currently we have 3.3. I request the Leader to fit a debate on this matter into the autumn schedule.