I thank the Taoiseach in advance because I am raising the case of Liam Dennehy Quinn, who is 13 years of age from Fossa, Killarney, County Kerry. His mother is Pamela Dennehy. I have written to the Taoiseach about this. Liam is waiting to be seen in Crumlin children's hospital. He has severe scoliosis, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, dystonia and a rare metabolic disorder. He urgently needs surgery in Crumlin under Dr. Pat Kiely. Pre-op was done in the first week of February 2024 in Temple Street hospital. He has been in University Hospital Kerry for 17 days. He is in aggressive, rapid and chronic pain. Liam is really unwell. He is not tolerating a full meal. His eating is affected to the point that he has become catabolic. When he lies down in bed, he starts coughing and cannot catch his breath. His scoliosis is to the left and is clearly having a serious impact on his tummy, on his digestive system and then on his oesophagus. He is again becoming medically unwell. I am asking the Taoiseach to do everything he can to help. I am not actually asking for help today; I am begging a new Taoiseach in a new job to take a special interest in Liam Dennehy Quinn to try to assist in him getting his urgent operation.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As I said to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, I take this issue very seriously. I thank the Deputy for his correspondence on Liam's situation. I can only imagine how distressing it is for Liam and his parents. I have been in contact with the Minister for Health on the issue and I have asked the Minister to reply directly to the Deputy on it.