Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague, Senator Michael McDowell, that we should be given adequate time to debate any amendment reverted to us from the Dáil. The Leader indicated yesterday that that would be the case and it is important that it should be. While the legislation might not be perfect, it will at least be a start. We will have to wait to see what we will receive from the Lower House.

More than 1,600 people in Ireland suffer from narcolepsy, a life-long illness that impacts on all aspects of their lives. Sufferers must live with a range of debilitating symptoms, including hallucinations, cataplexy, an increased risk of accidents and obesity. An organisation was brought to my attention by Councillor Michael Sheehan from Wexford. Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder, SOUND, is a support group for more than 80 young people who developed the disorder as a result of being given the swine flu vaccine Pandemrix.

The HSE committed to providing €1.6 million for St. James's Hospital in Dublin. However, the money has not materialised. It is vital for existing paediatric services that they receive this funding. It would provide for extra staff, including a neurologist, a neurophysicist, a respiratory consultant, a clinical nurse manager, a dietician, a laboratory nurse and four lab technicians. Given that €1.6 million is a minuscule amount in the HSE's budget of more than €14 billion, will the Leader use his good offices to impress on the Minister as a matter of urgency, the fact that the money is very important and necessary?