Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the call by Senator Cassells for a discussion on media. I was delighted to organise the briefing yesterday by the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI. There was a fantastic attendance and it was obvious from the organisation's requests that it needs support into the future. A discussion on this issue would be timely, as would an examination of the sound and vision fund. The make-up of that fund was highlighted yesterday and how difficult it is for IBI to get support from it for certain types of programming. I fully support the call by Senator Cassells.

I thank the Minister for Health for agreeing to add the SMA heel prick test to the list of tests done after children are born. It is an issue I and others have raised on a number of occasions over the past 12 months. I pay tribute to neighbours of mine from home, Brona and Brian Noonan, who highlighted this issue to me and advocated in the media, on behalf of their young son, Donnacha, for the test to be done. It has now been agreed by the Minister that it will be included. It will only cost approximately €300,000 per year but it can make a massive difference to children's lives in ensuring they get the treatment they deserve in early life. I pay tribute to Brona and Brian and thank the Minister for supporting the change. It needs to be implemented in the short term. I pay tribute also to the organisation working on this issue, which held numerous briefings in Dublin. Well done to those involved. The change must happen in early 2024. It cannot just be announced and not implemented straight away. I ask that correspondence be sent from the Leader's office to the Minister to ensure it is implemented early next year.