I am glad the Deputy has afforded me an opportunity to put the record straight in regard to this matter. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or ME as it is commonly known, is a very difficult condition to diagnose and I am aware that the medical profession itself has quite a few problems in this regard. It can take some time before a person is finally diagnosed as having ME. In the meantime they are usually certified to my Department as being incapable of work from some other cause.
As a result of this, perhaps, and also due to the relatively low incidence of the condition, my Department sees very little certification that actually specifies the cause of incapacity as ME.
All disability benefit claims are subject to the normal medical scrutiny offered by my Department's medical referees. In arriving at a conclusion on any particular case they have regard to all relevant matters and in particular to whatever comments are afforded by the claimant's own general practitioner.
I would stress the importance of this particular aspect of the situation. When a person is called before a medical referee his or her doctor is also advised at the same time and invited to furnish appropriate information in relation to the case. It is very desirable and useful to get this information in all instances, but particularly so in conditions such as ME where the certifying doctor has seen the complaint at close quarters for a longer period of time.