Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to address the House today on the National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020. I thank Senators Norris, Craughwell and Boyhan for their interest in this crucial topic which is so important to parents all over Ireland and I acknowledge the ongoing campaigning work and push from Senator Norris on this matter. I would not oppose this Bill in any event because of its merits but as a very long-standing fan of Senator Norris's work over many decades, it would be unthinkable for me to come in here for my first Private Members' Bill in the Seanad and oppose it. Thank goodness that it is a Bill on which we are very much aligned.

About two years ago, I was on East Coast FM. I got buzzed in and there is a couch on the left-hand side where one waits to go on and get grilled by Declan Meehan. I was sitting on the couch and a guy came in and sat down beside me. We got to talking. I told him why I was going on the radio and he told me why he was going on. He has three young kids; a little girl and two little boys. I also have three young kids and so we got to talking, as two dads in Wicklow, only two of Les's kids are very sick. That was the first time I met him and I have spoken to him many times since, including this week in the context of this Bill. He has done extraordinary work and continues to do so. I agree with colleagues that it is selfless work. Les is right, ultimately. I do not know whether the right answer is 40 conditions, but I know it is not eight. He is right and we are going to progress his work and provide the public health and scientific resources that are needed. We are going to save as many children as can be saved in this country. We are going to identify every treatable condition that can be identified and treated in this country.