John Gilroy (Labour)

I detect a certain level of excitability on the Fianna Fáil benches. Perhaps they might benefit from being led by the Chair in some deep breathing exercises before the Order of Business.

I would like to ask the Leader a serious question which perhaps he might raise with the Minister for Health. I understand the competing demands on the Minister's time and our scarce health care resources. I am talking about an issue on which good progress has been made in the last couple of years. There is a real danger, however, that the progress made will be eroded. I refer to the medical specialty of surgery on spinal deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis, both of which are progressive illnesses which are usually diagnosed in later childhood and will lead to permanent disability or paralysis if left untreated. In 2007 the waiting time for surgery was three years. However, great progress has been made since and last year the waiting time was 12 months. I am afraid the timeframes are creeping out again to 18 months. The specialists working in this area have met the Minister and officials from the HSE and the Department. We know the Minister is extremely sympathetic. I, therefore, ask the Leader to discuss this issue with him. Will he get a clear direction from the Minister on the plans that have been formulated and the stage these plans are at?