Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take the opportunity to call for a debate on women's health, including the need for a women's health strategy and a proper action plan. For too long we have had a situation where women's health is ignored. Unfortunately, we have recently seen the consequences of that failure, which can be a matter of life and death. A specific issue I would like to see examined is fertility. There are couples throughout the country struggling financially, physically and emotionally with infertility. I can tell colleagues that having to deal with fertility and miscarriage issues was one of the lowest points of my life. There is nowhere to turn to for professional help.

Another issue we need to examine is the treatment of women with endometriosis, which is a cruel and debilitating disease. It takes up to nine years to get diagnosed in this country, during which time it is getting worse and one's entire body is crippled underneath the condition. I have endometriosis and today I am pain free. Last week, I stood in here feeling like I had daggers swinging around inside my stomach. I am one of the lucky ones because I was able to go to work and stand here, I am not addicted to painkillers and I do not have suicidal thoughts. The same is not true for many women in this country but they are ignored, pushed aside and told the pain they are experiencing is only a bad period. I am the second speaker to talk about periods today. Endometriosis is not just a bad period. It is a crippling disease and we need to examine how it is treated and ensure we take care of the women in this country who suffer with it.