Shane Ross (Independent)

I thank the Minister for attending the House after several appeals from me and many others for a debate on this issue. I do not agree with many of her comments, but I appreciate that she is prepared to explain her position to both Houses.

I do not agree with Senator Norris on costs. I do not care about costs as it is not a cost issue. However, there were some unnecessary costs in the Ó Cuanacháin case. I would appeal to the Minister to not take precipitative action that would bankrupt people taking a court case on behalf of their children. The high-profile case has stimulated debate in the Houses and has challenged many of us to face up to a serious and nasty problem that we have not successfully confronted. To discuss costs is irrelevant and wrong. The Minister will correct me if I am wrong, but she has continuously maintained that cost is not the main issue. Rather, the issue is more complicated. Costs should not be an issue because, while we as public representatives may not understand the details of the different treatments, a wave of parents have approached us with their cases since the Ó Cuanacháin case. They are dissatisfied because their children are not getting the treatment they believe is deserved.

Whatever the Minister states about the different virtues of the cases, there are some unhappy parents who claim they are being blocked by the State from getting the treatment they believe their children should get. In response, civil servants and politicians claim they know better. No one knows better in a situation such as this than the parents. The Minister was right to point out that there is no consensus and that there are different opinions from experts, task forces, etc. Politicians should not be dictating to parents about this issue. If anyone can make the decision, it is the parent, who does not consider the cost.

I was struck by Senator Healy Eames's comments because she spoke with the authority of a parent, which is important. She is one of a range of people who speak with that authority and who lobby us as politicians because they are unhappy with what is occurring. That is a far greater authority than that of clinical experts, who disagree anyway, or a Minister with good intentions but who views the matter differently. We should discuss this issue with the people and parents involved and let them have the treatment that is deserved. I do not know how much time I have left.