Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I call on the Leader, I would like to thank a few people. On 25 October last, as many Members will know, I had what is called a near-death experience and was fortunate to survive and lucky to be in Dublin when it happened and that my wife spotted me going into a seizure, which I believe was caused by low sodium levels. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his wonderful work and the Acting Chairmen, who have kept the ship afloat while I was out.I received a significant amount of good wishes across all parties and none. I am not sure if I deserved them all but I would like to put on record my grateful thanks to the emergency services. Sometimes we criticise hospitals here. Once my daughter dialled 999, they had a specific voicemail helping my son-in-law to do CPR on me at that stage. The first emergency responders on the scene were the firemen, who I believe were excellent. I have no memory of it but they were a bit harsh on my ribs and after the event, I felt as it I was in the front row of a scrum in the World Cup but that is part of recovery. I thank the fire brigade. I have no names. I also thank the 999 operator, the ambulance service and in particular, St. James's Hospital, where I went in as a public patient. I was there for six days and six nights and the treatment I received was second to none. Some time, when I am in better form, I will go back to thank them for what they did. We hear a lot about bad situations and cases where there are delays and so on but on 25 October at about midday, all the emergency services saved my life and I want to acknowledge and show respect to them for the wonderful work they do. Sometimes we never appreciate what the emergency services do but I have many thanks to offer them. I am not sure if I will ever be able to thank my wife for raising the alarm, because if she had not done or had left the room and left me on my own for 15 minutes, I would have gone to another abode, whichever place I am not sure. I am back to haunt the House again and I thank Members for their welcome. It was important to put that on the record because we often hear complaints about and criticism of our emergency responders and the ambulance service. I have nothing but the utmost and sincerest praise for them and some day, I hope I will be able to thank some of them in person. With that, I ask the Leader to respond.