The consequences of the delays in scoliosis operations are very real and very cruel. I have given the Taoiseach a letter from one of my constituents who has had his operation delayed. In fact, he has been sent home to make himself comfortable. He is 16 years of age, and his name is Mikey. I am asking the Taoiseach for two things at this stage. I am asking him to get his full file from Crumlin hospital and the other relevant hospitals, and I am asking him for a second opinion from abroad and to facilitate that. The Taoiseach may say that with regard to some of these children, he and I are not clinicians and they cannot travel. I am asking the Taoiseach to use the technology that is available - whether that is Teams, Zoom or whatever it is - to make the files available so that experts from abroad can at least give a second opinion to the families. It is not right to send a 16-year-old home to be made comfortable. That may be the case for a 96-year-old person but a 16-year-old boy deserves more than this, and his family deserves more. Could the Taoiseach connect these desperate families with the experts from abroad for a second opinion?

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I will certainly bring this to the attention of the Minister for Health, and most particularly ask that it is brought to the attention of the clinical lead in this area, Mr. David Moore. I will try to connect the family through that way and see if the points the Deputy has made can be addressed.