Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

I am very disappointed to hear the Government does not intend to establish a national co-ordinating committee to develop and implement a national vision policy, strategy or plan. We are often told that we have international commitments. The Government made commitments to the WHO in 2003 and 2009. If we are able to renege on a health commitment, why can we not renege on our commitments to the EU, the IMF and the troika? It beggars belief that we can meet our commitments in an economic area but not in health.

With respect, the reply did not address the issue of research funding. People suffering from this disability do not have time and we need to implement a strategy. They tell us research is crucial and we strongly urge that funding in this area is not cut. It deserves essential funding, and certainly funding for research should be maintained or increased because of the economic and job potential which exists.