paula Mc Carthy

**BREAKING** Extremely angry Senator REFUSES to leave Seanad unless health minister arrives to explain why a child became permanently PARALYSED as a result of suspended waiting lists.... Senator @TomClonan alleges the reason why these children have been left waiting is due to the suspension and subsequent vendetta of two senior surgeons who raised concerns about operating practices at Children's hospitals in Dublin. Despite pre agreements to make an appearance in the Seanad regarding the status of 150 Irish children on waiting lists for spinal surgery, Minister @DonnellyStephen not only failed to show, but did not even give any explanation as to why he want there. The Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar and Tanaiste @MichealMartinTD as well as children's minister @rodericogorman were also not in attendance. Senator Tom Clonan (himself a father to a child with spinal defects) spoke passionately about how 150 children have been left languishing on waiting lists. All these disabled children suffer from extensive pain and one has been left permanently paralysed while awaiting time dependent surgery that would have prevented this outcome. Senator Clonan asked why children with disabilities seem to matter less than other Irish children and indeed asked why so many politicians make impassioned pleas for children in foreign conflicts but fail to also bring focus on children who are left waiting for life changing surgeries. He said he would refuse to leave the Seanad Chambers until such a time as the health minister shows.