Lyme disease is causing fierce problems for many people in County Kerry. It is not even recognised by the Department of Health as a disease, never mind providing treatment for it. Many people have to travel abroad for treatment, to Germany and the USA, at a massive cost. Councillor Maura Healy-Rae brought a motion to Kerry County Council before Christmas last year and she was supported by the members. Kerry County Council wrote to the Minister for Health, asking that he receive a deputation or that a meeting be convened of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health to discuss the problem. Since then, the council has received no reply. I also want to highlight that old fallen timber in 26 acres of the Killarney National Park is a habitat for Lyme disease. People accessing Killarney National Park and, indeed, other parks should be made aware of the danger of Lyme disease.

As the Deputy knows, acute Lyme disease is caused by ticks. People should be made aware of the habitat. That is a very valid point. There is some work being done to raise awareness around the possibility of getting Lyme disease. The diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease, though, is a controversial diagnosis. I would ask people to be cautious about using overseas labs or treatments that may not be recognised here.

What about the question of the meeting?

I will ask the Minister.