David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I commend Senator Quinn on introducing practical legislation. He has had a good run in recent weeks, bearing in mind his Bill that passed through the Dáil and the Seanad Bill that progressed through Second Stage. The latter Bill, or a similar one, was introduced in the Dáil by some Independent Members. The Bill before us is important and practical and should be supported. It makes a great deal of sense to have defibrillators at specified public locations and it can save lives.

The Bill is very well drafted. Obviously, we may have issues of concern in regard to some aspects. While the Minister of State may have concerns, I hope the legislation will not be held up just because it has been produced by somebody outside the Government. That tends to happen at times. I hope the Bill will be given due regard, that we can ensure it will receive the attention it deserves and that it will be passed in both Houses.

Any Bill that seeks to improve safety and save lives, where possible, by putting in place appropriate equipment should be considered. The Minister of State may be interested to learn that I am working on an initiative in this regard concerning the fishing industry. He may know about the recent horrific tragedy off the coast of Waterford. We have had far too many tragedies off the coast of the south east and elsewhere. This highlights the need to improve safety and to have personal location beacons for fishermen to wear. The beacons have GPS and can be worn as wristbands, or they can be integrated into life jackets. These are practical measures that we should be considering. There are new technologies that should be embraced. It makes perfect sense.

When I was a member of Waterford City Council, I tabled a motion very similar to this legislation. The State should lead by example. All local authorities and State agencies, bodies and buildings should have defibrillators. It makes perfect sense, and we need to set an example. There is little point in legislators saying every organisation should have defibrillators if we do not have them.

Every time one passes the Members' restaurant one of the first things one sees is the machine. We lead by example. Every State body and organisation and public office should have the equipment.

Sudden adult death syndrome and sudden cardiac arrest are issues with which the general public has become increasingly familiar in recent years. In particular, in Ireland we can all recall the very tragic loss of Tyrone football captain Cormac McAnallen several years ago. More recently we saw the collapse of midfielder Fabrice Muamba during a soccer match in Britain who, thankfully, recovered. Many others have not been so fortunate. We can all recall stories, often of young men and women, who have passed away while playing sport and many others who died suddenly from various forms of cardiac conditions when in public.

It is important that, where possible, that the equipment is available. It is important not to forget that while we have seen tragedies, the availability of the equipment has saved lives. There are many examples. A study was done when defibrillators were installed in Dublin Airport, for example, which found they saved lives. I understand 119 lives were saved over a number of years because the equipment was available and those who needed it were able to access it. It saved the lives of tourists.

An airport is a busy place and a lot of people come and go. To save any life is hugely important but to save over 100 lives over, I understand, a three-year period is an important figure for us to bear in mind. Earlier this yearthejournal.iereported that 19 lives had been saved in Dublin Airport in a single year as a result of the introduction of the machines ten years ago. In 2012 three lives were saved, including an 85 year old man who had returned with his family and who thanked emergency services.

The Irish Heart Foundation estimates that sudden cardiac death kills more than 5,000 people in Ireland each year, including approximately 100 people aged under 35. Although the survival rate of out of hospital cardiac arrest is approximately 7% in Ireland, it should be noted that 123 people were saved as a direct result of having the equipment nearby in the 12 months prior to October 2012.

All the technical arguments have been made, as well as calls for why this should happen for practical reasons. I appeal to the Minister of State and the Minister for Health to take the Bill on board and progress it through the Dáil and Seanad. Let us examine it on Committee Stage and iron out any issues. Let us make sure we pass the Bill and make it law. We may need to give support to sporting organisations. A sum of €1,200 is a small amount of money when one considers it could save lives. All sporting clubs and organisations are struggling and there are competing demands. We should consider whether grant support is a possibility. I ask the Minister of State to support the Bill and progress it through both Houses.