Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Carrigy.

I join the Senator in paying tribute to Louis Belton, a man with whom I was very friendly. We did not agree on politics but we had many good meetings and greetings. When I would slag Longford, he would always remind me that I was born in that town. He was never long in telling me that. He was a dapper dresser, as people around here would knew, and always to be seen dressed to the nines. Louis was a really nice man and I express my sympathy to his relatives and friends.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health or one of the Ministers of State at that Department to come to the House to address the issue of sepsis? It is not that we want to frighten anyone but the fact is that 3,000 people annually are losing their lives in this country as a result of sepsis. It is affecting 15,000 people every year. Communities in this country are not tuned into the danger. When we meet the families of young children and others who have lost their lives from sepsis, we see the utter heartbreak it causes. People can develop sepsis very quickly. I am seeking an update on the issue. The HSE has created a prominent public awareness campaign but we need to do a lot more.I ask that the Minister come in to give an update on what is happening and to ensure that all of us know about the dangers of sepsis and how we can deal with blood poisoning, which really challenges the human body.