Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Gallagher and Conway again for raising this important issue. I will, indeed, follow-up with the Minister to liaise with them on the progress on both of the initiatives that have been referenced in my opening statement.

I absolutely understand the importance of sight. It is how you live your everyday life. It is critical in terms of your environment, your surroundings and to have reasonable quality of life.

Both of those are important initiatives in that, as Senator Conway quite rightly pointed out, a stitch in time saves lives. It is important to have these initiatives enacted quickly.

Prevention is the best key right across our healthcare system. When issues are not treated, which is one of the challenges from Covid-19 in delayed healthcare, they get inevitably worse and the system has to expend huge resources trying to resolve difficult healthcare issues.

I thank Senators Conway and Gallagher for bringing this important debate. I will revert to the Minister for Health to keep in contact with the Senators about both initiatives.