Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of funding for research. In an article in The Irish Timesduring the week Professor Orla Hardiman spoke about her research on motor neurone disease. It is not a good diagnosis to be told that one has motor neurone disease and the prognosis is always bad. They call it a 1,000 day illness, so most people will live for up to 1,000 days but one never knows when one gets the diagnosis at what point of the 1,000 days one is at. Some people such as Stephen Hawking live a great deal longer. Professor Hardiman is very optimistic that in her working life a drug will be found that will help people who are suffering with motor neurone disease. I would like the Leader to ask the Minister to come to the House so that we can have a debate on funding for Professor Orla Hardiman's research and also for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association, which provides a service around the country for patients and their families. There are only three motor neurone disease specialist nurses in this country. They are all funded by the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, and not by the State. I would like a debate on motor neurone disease in this Chamber.

I am grateful to the Members of the Oireachtas who have supported coffee mornings and the fashion show that was run by the former Member, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and for research. The charity should not have to do that and it should be provided for by the State. I really would welcome a debate and it would be a fitting tribute to people who have died from the disease or those who get a diagnosis in the coming years. We must remember that several Members, not just one who was dear to my heart, have died from motor neurone disease.

With that in mind, I co-hosted a briefing in the AV room with Senator Kevin Humphreys with the Parkinson's Association of Ireland, which is amazing. Similar to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, it is looking for funding for research, running the association and things that can be done around the country to prevent the HSE having to get involved to the extent that it does. There are 12,000 people in the country with Parkinson's disease. That number is expected to double in the coming years. We need to put money in place to look after these people. If possible I would like the Leader to ask the Minister to come to the House to discuss the research on these diseases.