Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for setting out the Order of Business. I wish to share my concern about it now. Earlier I had a discussion with some of my colleagues regarding an amendment to the Order of Business. On reflection and to be fair to all concerned, Ministers need time to come to this House and need to prepare to come to this House so I will not proceed with moving an amendment to the Order of Business today. It is my intention to do so tomorrow if we do not have a favourable response. It relates to the scoliosis situation and the 172 children lists. I ask anyone to look at the current RTÉ feed in regard to scoliosis, which quotes extensively what the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have to say. Many members may have seen the issue discussed on RTÉ's "Prime Time" programme last night, yet again the Tánaiste, Dr. Leo Varadkar, talked about his concerns stating "The Government severely regrets that children are experiencing long delays." The Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, says the delays in treatment are not about a lack of resources but reflect on a systemic failure. The reality is I brought a Commencement Matter yesterday and it was more than disappointing, as it did not address the issues. The Minister of State at the Department of Health took the matter. I then took the time to come to the anteroom in the Seanad yesterday evening to meet directly with the Minister for Health, though not by appointment. I handed him the reply and I asked him to take it for a bit of reading for last night. I expressed my view that it was a disgrace and that whoever wrote it should not have been asked. No Minister should have been asked to take that reply from the Department of Health in here because it simply did not address the issues in regard to scoliosis.

This is all coming about as a result of the people from the Scoliosis Advocacy Network contacting me and I am sure many other Senators and, more importantly, a very engaging interview on RTÉ's "Today with Claire Byrne" programme. The issues are now so serious we can have no further delays. Out of respect for the procedures of the House and timing, I am not going to proceed with the proposal to amend the Order of Business today. After all it is only a proposal, but I ask the Leader to use her good office to make contact with the Minister for Health, and see if we can have him in the House if not tomorrow - and quite frankly it is that serious and that is what the parents are demanding and want - certainly on our return from the recess. I am conscious there is a recess and that is an issue. However, it is critical and I do not doubt that every Member shares my concerns and is supportive of the families and guardians of these 172 children who need medical intervention. They do not care if it is public or private and they do not care if the State is buying the treatment in. They are children. Many of us have children and we would not want our children suffering from scoliosis and the agony these children have to endure.