Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I second Senator Fitzgerald's amendment to the Order of Business. Two years ago we were promised we would have a designated unit for cystic fibrosis sufferers in St. Vincent's Hospital. It is a disgrace that building has not yet commenced. Cystic fibrosis sufferers must still queue in accident and emergency units and are placed in wards where they are at risk of infection. Statistics show that those who suffer from cystic fibrosis living in Northern Ireland will live ten years longer than on this side of the Border. That is a damning statistic for any health service. How much longer must those with cystic fibrosis and their families fight for basic necessities and facilities? We have regional hospitals throughout the country and they should have facilities and services to cater for cystic fibrosis. We have excellent consultants in many of these hospitals who specialise in cystic fibrosis but they do not have the facilities or other services. There is a lack of beds, isolation units and physiotherapists for adult cystic fibrosis sufferers. How long will we allow this to continue? The Minister for Health and Children must come into this Chamber and explain why the unit has not been started. She must account for her stewardship in this area. We must hear from the HSE why these facilities have not been provided for our people who are suffering on a daily basis. This is a matter of life and death.

Members need to get off their backsides and do something about it.