Parliament must use science to provide solutions to wicked problems

In Blog, Science, Science by Denis Naughten

This week I attended the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly where I addressed the issue of practical problem solving. Here is what I said: Report of the IPU Working Group on Science and Technology to the Governing Council 146th IPU Assembly– Item 14 (j) of the 211th session of the Governing Council 15 March watch it here: https://youtu.be/nHgK22bYRhE Thank you, Mr. President. On …

Long COVID opinion poll supports findings of separate research and data on incidence

In Blog, Health, Posts by Topic, Science, Science by Denis Naughten

While normally I would take an opinion poll on the self-reporting incidence of an illness with a pinch of salt, my sheer frustration in trying to source data from the HSE on the incidence of long COVID, waiting lists, referrals etc led me to commission such a poll myself.   There is lack of acknowledgement and even scepticism of the …

Update on Mater Hospital long COVID clinic

In Blog, Health by Denis Naughten

Last November, I raised the issue of access to long COVID clinics with An Taoiseach and specifically the imminent closure of the clinic at the Mater Hospital. (see video below) I have now received the following response from Minister Donnelly:   From: Ministers Office <noreplymo-health@corr.cloud.gov.ie> Sent: 23 February 2023 17:55 To: Denis Naughten <Denis.Naughten@oireachtas.ie> Subject: HEA-MO-12080-2022   HEA-MO-12080-2022 23rd February …

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

In Blog, Science by Denis Naughten

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science Did you know that 44% of all scientists in Ireland are female?   Today, Saturday 11th February is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and  Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office  has published figures which show that nearly 41 per cent of all scientists in the EU are female …

Apply for the Fuel Allowance

In Blog by Denis Naughten

With the income limits for the fuel allowance increased from 1st January –   I’m asking you to Help make a difference this Christmas by assisting a pensioner, and those on the half rate cares allowance or disablement benefit to apply   Denis   Fuel Allowance From 1st January 2023, the following changes will apply to how income is assessed …

First national poll on long COVID

In Blog, Health by Denis Naughten

Access the data behind the very first poll of adults in Ireland on self-reported symptoms of long COVID by leading polling company, Ireland Thinks, which I commissioned.  Long Covid Poll Data I commissioned this research to get an indication of the scale of the long COVID issue because the health services in Ireland have failed to do so. In fact, the …

We cannot ignore long Covid any longer

In Blog by Denis Naughten

Long Covid is not just a problem for sufferers and unless we have the right response in place then it could cause problems for everyone on a hospital waiting list, as well as society in general.   Long Covid is a condition recognised by the World Health Organisation with common symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath and brain fog among …

Government want families to pay to cover up their mistakes on electricity supplies

In Blog by Denis Naughten

The Governments proposed law to force families to pay for 450MW of electricity generators is ” the chickens coming home to roost Bill”. None of what is in this proposed law  should come as a surprise to anyone, particularly anyone in government because over a long number of years they have been made well aware of the issues we are …

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

In Blog, Health by Denis Naughten

I recently received a query regarding the HSE suopport for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. On foot of that I tabled the following question to the Minister for Health To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the HSE will not approve surgical interventions for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome under the European Union Cross-Border Directive or the treatment abroad scheme; the treatments …