UPDATE: #GE2020 Candidates Supporting OACS Ireland

#GE2020 Update on Candidates Supporting OACS Ireland

With the General Election campaign in it’s final days, OACS Ireland (Organisation for Anti-Convulsant Syndrome have been busy reaching out to candidates seeking support for our manifesto for the next Dáil term.

It is important to note that OACS Ireland are non – political and that we are willing and ready to work with everyone elected to the 33rd Dáil in order to achieve our overarching aim of achieving a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy and or Foetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS) and/or Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder (FVSD) .

However, it is also important to note and acknowledge when political parties and their candidates make a commitment regarding issues that will directly impact on the lives of people with epilepsy and their families. It is also important that our members, and supporters around the country are aware of these commitments ahead of polling day. With that in mind, below is a compilation of the feedback we have received to date on our key asks. This page will be updated regularly between now and the General Election.

In particular, there have been significant commitments and comments made with regard to Sodium Valproate (Epilim) and implementing the 12 recommendations on sodium valproate Health Committee on FACS.

• In their General Election manifesto (PG 56), Sinn Féin have committed to “Investigating use of Sodium Valproate and create dedicated healthcare pathways for those affected.”
• The Green Party has stated that “The Green Party supports the implementation of the Oireachtas Committee on Health recommendations on Sodium Valproate and foetal anti-convulsant syndrome (FACS).
• In comments made to the Medical Independent this week, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly said that he is in favour of an independent inquiry on Sodium Valproate.  You can read more on his comments and Sinn Féin’s manifesto pledge here.

Alongside this, many individual candidates from around the country have responded by email, by phone and on social media committing to help achieve our key priorities. These are listed below:

Candidates:

• Rose Conway-Walsh Mayo Constituency
• Seán Canney; Galway Constituency
• Darragh O’Brien; Dublin Fingal constituency
• Catherine Connolly; Galway West Constituency
• Louise O’Reilly; Dublin Fingal constituency
• Lisa Cambers; Mayo Constituency
• Brendan. Smith; Cavan–Monaghan Constituency
• Pearse Doherty; Donegal Constituency
• Eugene Murphy; Roscommon–Galway Constituency
• Mattie. Mc Grath; Tippearary Constituency
• Denise Mitchell; Dublin Bay – North constituency
• Pat Casey; Wicklow Constituency
• Bobby Alyward; Carlow–Kilkenny Constituency
• Mary.Butler; Waterford Constituency
• Stephen Donnelly; Wicklow Constituency
• Theresa O’ Donohoe; Clare constituency
• Eoin O’ Broin; Dublin Mid-West