Many diabetics at 'risk of blindness' over tests delay

MANY OF Ireland's 200,000 diabetics are at risk of blindness because of a decision to postpone a screening programme, the Dáil has heard.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was ruled out of order when he called for the Minister for Health to make a Dáil statement on the Health Service Executive (HSE) decision not to proceed with the project to screen for retinopathy, a serious eye condition caused by diabetes.

The Cavan-Monaghan TD compared the seriousness of the decision with the controversial postponement of the cervical cancer vaccination programme.

"The consequence of this is that a significant number of the 200,000 diabetics in this country will run the risk of blindness," he claimed. The first stage of a national screening programme for retinopathy was approved last year for the HSE West region, but the €750,000 funding was used to reduce the budget deficit.

A decision was made last month that a similar amount for this year should again go to dealing with the deficit.

The issue was ruled out of order and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said it was a matter for the party whips.

Labour chief whip Emmet Stagg said the only person responsible for ordering the business of the House was the Taoiseach. If he "gives the whip the authority" under standing orders "to move on an issue, we can move on it".