Gerard Craughwell (Independent)

I know the Minister of State has a meeting to go to and deferred that to be here. I thank her for that. Somewhere in Ireland today, tomorrow or next week a family will get the same message we got. I remember Rebecca was 19 at the time and her maxillofacial surgeon did not want to tell her what the diagnosis was after the biopsy. He rang me. I went home to Helen, my wife, and said we had to go to see the surgeon. We knew the news was bad. When Rebecca heard us whispering, she came in and said, "I am over 18, and whatever news I have to get, I will get it myself." I know her surgeon will tell you she is a feisty woman when she decides to take things on. We went and got the diagnosis. We brought her to St. James's Hospital for surgery. On the morning we brought her into the theatre, the surgeon advised my wife and me to speak to her now, because she might never speak again. I cannot tell you the impact that had. She came out of surgery totally unrecognisable because of the nature of the surgery. I would do the late evenings and my wife would do the days. Helen would be with her all day every day and woe betide anybody who would not look after her. I remember sitting one night in the hospital feeling desperately sorry for myself and the next thing I heard this croaky voice saying, "What's your problem; I'm the one who had the surgery." I looked up and there was my beautiful daughter, and she gave me stick that night. We have heard about mortality rates, but this was 26 years ago. I thank the people sitting in the Gallery, who were beside her at every turn. Today somebody referred to me as being brave, but I can tell the House that during the recovery period from the surgery I ran out the door while Rebecca and her mother absolutely went head on because she had to have liquidated food while she was recovering. I could not take it. Rebecca was resistant, but Helen was determined that she would eat. Between the two of them she travelled the recovery route.

Today we are here about the recovery and restoration, and restoring somebody as much as you possibly can. We are talking about approximately €556,000 today. It is loose change in the back pocket of the Department of Health, or of the HSE. On Monday morning, the chairman and CEO of the dental hospital, who are here, can get a telephone call from the HSE saying that it has just signed a cheque for €556,000 and that it will work with them from now on to ensure funding is adequate. The €4.2 million is being sought in order to cut down on travel. Most of us who are here have family members who know what it is like to suffer from cancer and the treatment thereof. The treatment is sometimes worse than the goddamn condition. Expecting people to travel from the west of Ireland to Dublin, and from the south of Ireland to Dublin, for treatment is not on. We must find the €4.2 million urgently. I have seen the people in Dublin Dental University Hospital. I have seen Rebecca's surgeon. I would name them but it is inappropriate to name people in the House. I would get ticked off over that. I can say that these people work on a shoestring.They commit themselves morning, noon and night to their patients. Twice in the past three years, my beautiful daughter has been in intensive care, totally unconscious, and we did not whether she would survive because of difficulties swallowing, which is part of oral cancer. She is still here. When she is recovering in intensive care and we go in to visit and ask how she is, she tells us she is planning a holiday in Lanzarote. That is the way it goes. I thank her employers, Allied Irish Banks, for standing with her, looking after her and keeping her on the staff over the years.

Most of all, I thank the people in the Gallery, who are there all the time, every time. An allocation of €556,000 next Monday morning is not a big ask. As Senator Clonan said, if that money is not given, we will be back looking for it in six, seven, eight or nine months. It is not huge money. I thank the Minister of State for staying longer and the Cathaoirleach for being generous in giving time to wrap up the debate. I thank the people in the Gallery so much for being here. Their presence shows massive solidarity with the team responsible for the treatment of head and neck cancers at Dublin Dental University Hospital. The chairman, chief executive officer and all the senior staff are here. I am humbled by their attendance.