TD wanted to leave Ireland over lack of cystic fibrosis services for daughter

First-time TD Áine Collins said she considered emigrating to the United States because services in Cork were so poor for her daughter, who has cystic fibrosis.

The Fine Gael TD said she expected a dedicated unit for children with the condition would open in Cork University Hospital (CUH) within two years.

Building will begin in December depending on private funding, she said, promising to use her position in Government to “keep an eye” on it.

She said frustration with the lack of isolated units and the fear her daughter, Lily, would pick up infections in CUH were the reasons why she decided to run for the Dáil and “be in a place of influence”.

The Cork North West TD told the Irish Examiner: “The worst day of my month is when I go into CUH to take my daughter in to be checked. Her highest risk of getting an infection is when we go to that hospital.”

Lily, 3, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in Jan 2009. Ms Collins said, in a speech at the recent Fine Gael ard fheis: “This changed my life after I mourned for the life that Lily would not have.”

She was frustrated there were no isolated bed units for her daughter. “The only option seemed to be to relocate to the States.”

She applied for a US work visa but, while she waited for it, she learned more about the condition and realised that emigration was not the answer.

“Having emigrated to London in 1988 to find work, I really did not want to leave Ireland again,” said Ms Collins, who has since seen her eldest 21-year-old daughter leave Ireland to work abroad.

The Buil4Life group is raising €1.5m towards the dedicated unit in CUH.

Ms Collins said she would much prefer if the State was doing this but that she would be “keeping a close eye and focus on it to ensure it is built”.