Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

There are too many committees. I thank the Cathaoirleach.

I spoke a few weeks ago about Jason Power, a good friend of mine who had health issues. Unfortunately, Jason sadly passed away last Friday. I was asked to speak at his funeral yesterday and share my thoughts about his life, how I had met him and how he had recovered from a life of addiction and trauma. He turned his life around and had ten years of sobriety, but, unfortunately, his lungs had been damaged and he was dealing with bad health. During all that, he bravely fought the bad health and was in hospital a lot.

I have spoken about the gaps in our system. As Jason did not have a cancer diagnosis, palliative care was not available to him. The gap in our care system caused many issues for his family, namely Aoife and his two boys, because he had to be hospitalised. However, I have to give credit where it is due. Jason died last week in the care of Naas hospital and the HSE in the solas room. The staff there were tremendous. I cannot overstate the care they gave and the kindness and professionalism they showed. I refer to the nurses, doctors and family support staff. They brought comfort not only to Jason but also to his family in his final hours. While I continue to call for reform of the care sector and area of non-cancer end-of-life care for which the HSE is responsible, I offer special praise in respect of what compassionate healthcare looks like when it works at its best. I sympathise with Jason's wife, Aoife, and his sons, Fiann and Ódhrán. Our deepest sympathies are with them. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.