John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Leader. Everyone recognises that obesity is clearly the second leading cause, after smoking, of preventable premature death and ill health in this country. It is also a colossal drain on the Exchequer. This subject should be of interest to the Minister, Deputy Coveney. It has been shown that in extreme cases where conservative measures do not work, this life-saving surgery adds years to the lives of people who have dangerous levels of morbid obesity. The saved health costs associated with looking after people whose diabetes has been prevented or ameliorated - I refer to the avoidance of heart attacks, chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease and gangrenous legs, etc. - mean that this form of surgery repays all of the costs associated with it within three years.

In the history of bad and stupid decisions, this must be the worst and most stupid decision I have ever heard of. The national centre that does most of this surgery in the country was finally opened in October as part of the Minister's much-trumpeted reorganisation of hospital services into groups. Within a few months of the opening of the centre at St. Vincent's Hospital, having moved from St. Colmcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown, a memorandum has been sent by e-mail this week from the administration of the hospital to the surgeon in charge, giving no excuse for the decision to suspend the service immediately other than to say that sufficient money is not available to retain it. Those costs will now be found mounting in kidney dialysis, heart attack and other units. This outrageous decision needs to be dealt with urgently.