Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I rise today to speak about the medical condition of epilepsy. This week, starting today, is National Epilepsy Week. I am acutely aware of the extraordinary health difficulties that face this country, the HSE and the Department of Health with regard to the cyber ransom event, which is appalling and frightening. I have a duty, as a public representative, to proclaim that I have been diagnosed with this condition. On 25 October 2019, when I was the Cathaoirleach, I collapsed and had a near death experience. Thankfully, my wife saw me collapse and go unconscious so I was rushed to St. James's Hospital and survived.

There are 40,000 people in this country who are known sufferers of epilepsy. That number is grossly underestimated because many people say the figure is double if truth were known. There are many myths associated with epilepsy. Some people say that one is born with it but that is not correct. Some people say the condition is inherited. I am the youngest of a long tailed family of 11 and there has been no evidence of any epilepsy in my family.

I have been in touch with the epilepsy association of Ireland, Epilepsy Ireland, which does wonderful advocacy work. Sometimes there is a myth and stigma attached to what I call a medical condition that should be unravelled. On the law of averages, one in 80 people suffers from the condition. As there are 220 members of the Oireachtas, then at least three other Members, apart from myself, should have the condition.

Unfortunately for me, I walked around with the condition for many years before being diagnosed. One consultant said that I had sleep apnea, another consultant said that I had transient ischaemic attacks, TIAs, which are mini strokes, and somebody else said that I had global amnesia. Thankfully, in the end the matter was sorted. On 21 July 2020, and nine months after my collapse and ending up in St. James's Hospital, I had seven or eighth absence seizures, which are mini episodes. I did not go unconscious and knew what was happening but I was in a frozen state for 20 seconds. As a result, neurologist immediately confirmed that I had epilepsy. Thankfully, since then I am on medication, which is normal enough. I live a normal life and hope to resume driving on 1 August. Not being able to drive is a big setback for me as I live in the remote area of Schull, so I must get buses and trains to Dublin and elsewhere. I was used to the freedom of driving. Given the week that is in it, I hope my speaking out publicly will create a focus on and an awareness of this condition. One can live a normal life once one knows one has it, but the problem is that if the condition is not diagnosed, one is walking on thin ice or walking a tightrope. I was very fortunate to survive. Had I died that day, they would have said it was a heart attack. Nobody would have known the difference. However, I am here to tell the tale. Given the week that is in it, I ask the Leader for a debate on this very important medical condition, if possible before the summer recess.