The first matter I want to raise may appear to be a little trivial but it is very important. The Knights of the Campanile is a sporting organisation in Trinity College Dublin-----

What about the Knights of Columbanus?

-----which was recently found to have been involved in a form of hazing. As far as I know, it was pretty mild but hazing is a very noxious practice. An attempt is now being made to suppress the college newspaper, The University Times, which published a report on same. It is shocking that a university body would try to stamp on freedom of expression in this way. Although I am a Knight of the Campanile myself, I strongly resist these motions and hope they will not take place.

The second matter I wish to raise is a rather sad one. I had a communication today from a man who seems to be a remarkable and good father to his two children, aged three and five. They were both perfectly normal, well developing children until the age of two. Suddenly they started to deteriorate and it turns out that they have a very rare disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy. They are both in a difficult situation but one has had treatment and may be stabilised. In Ireland we only test for eight rare disorders as opposed to the 35 recommended by the American Food and Drug Administration, FDA. In one year, the Italians have increased the number of rare conditions tested for from four to 40. This is an area in which we need to improve. We must align ourselves with the test programmes being conducted in Italy. We must increase the number of conditions for which we test because it is often significantly cheaper to test and treat rather than waiting until a chronic situation develops. I appeal to the Government to move in this direction and to increase to 40 the number of disorders for which we test and treat. That is the compassionate response. The father to whom I referred talked with so much passion about the fact that had this test been done and had his children been diagnosed early, they would now be in a much better condition. Although his situation is tragic, he felt the need to speak out on behalf of other parents to prevent them from being involved in a similar horrible situation.

I agree with Senator Norris. We all received the email to which Senator Norris referred and anyone who read it could not fail to be moved by the sentiments contained therein. Time is of the essence and it is very important that children are tested. The second child has been stabilised because he was tested earlier. It is a worthwhile issue for the Minister to consider.

I wish to discuss disability services in this country. I live in the area of community healthcare organisation, CHO, 8 where there are serious budget issues in the context of disability services. I am trying to fight for a number of people at the moment, including a patient in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire who is about to be discharged. If a service is not put in place for him, he will end up in Tullamore general hospital. I do not like the term "bed blocker" but that is exactly what he will be if he does not get the service he needs. An organisation is willing to put a service in place and has prepared a business plan for that but there is no funding available. In another case, a lady needs a house. A house is available and rent is being paid on it but there is no funding available for staff. Will the Leader invite the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, to come to the House to discuss disability services in general and those in CHO 8 in particular?