Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2017
167. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of Lyme disease tests carried out that have given negative results and subsequently proved positive following tests in Germany and UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/17]
View answer168. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if the Lyme disease test carried out here is in line with international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25064/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to question numbers 209 to 211 on 17 May 2017. As I stated in my reply, all clinical (and other) laboratories in Ireland must undergo continuous quality assurance to ensure that the quality of the diagnostics they provide is maintained to the highest international level for human diagnostics. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on testing for Lyme borreliosis in other EU Member States who may use different standards for testing to those used in Ireland. As testing and treatment for Lyme borreliosis is widely available in Ireland there is no requirement for people to travel to other EU Member States to access these services.
