Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too support the Independent colleagues in the Seanad and commend them on tabling such an important Bill. Since my election to the Seanad in 2016, the issue of scoliosis, the lack of services for children with scoliosis, the delays and the suffering have been a constant topic of debate and conversation in these Houses. It is clear that these families and the children in particular have been let down by the State over a long period of time. As the mother of young children, I can empathise with the parents who see their children suffering on a daily basis, declining and having irreversible decline. I welcome the opportunity to debate and shine a light on these failures.Ireland is a wealthy country. This should not be tolerated, notwithstanding the fact we had a pandemic to deal with. It should not be tolerated any further. I am glad significant progress has been made in the delivery of services. Of course, it is not enough. While even one child is suffering, it is not enough. It is a national shame.

I look forward to the Bill progressing and to ongoing engagement with the Minister and his officials. Nobody in the House wants to see those children suffering any longer. We want a fit and proper health service for everybody. I know that is what the Minister is working towards. While a small number of families are involved, they are very vocal. They have had to be very vocal over a long number of years because of the failures of successive Governments. It is to be hoped the Minister will be the Minister that will put an end to this and bring about some real progress in those children's lives. I look forward to engaging with him and colleagues across the House on this because it is an issue on which we are all speaking with one voice.