Limerick minister says day-to-day life has changed ‘dramatically’ since health episode

MINISTER for Culture, Communications and Sport and Limerick TD Patrick O’Donovan has said the manner in which he goes about his day-to-day life has changed “dramatically” and that there are more changes to come.

Minister O’Donovan suffered a severe health episode and was taken to hospital in Brussels, Belgium in early July and later flown back to Ireland on the Government jet after doctors deemed it safe for him to travel.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Friday morning, Mr O’Donovan who has an underlying condition of epilepsy said the episode he experienced was “bigger than usual”.

The Minister said he received “fantastic care” at the hospital in Brussels before being transferred back to Ireland, where his medical team at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin was involved in the decision-making process.

“I want to thank the hospital in Brussels and my own consultant and team in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin who have looked after me during the summer,” he said.

The Minister said he had not returned to work without first consulting his medical team and acknowledged that he needed to make changes to his lifestyle.

“I haven't come back to work without them knowing it,” he said.

“I wouldn't also, I think, come back to work without the realisation that I have to change a few things and I'm in the process of doing that.”

Mr O’Donovan said improving his work-life balance was now “really important”, adding that changes to the way he approaches his day-to-day life had already been made.

“The manner in which I go about my day-to-day life has changed dramatically and there are more changes to come,” he said.

“And I think my life will be the better for it, and I certainly think my output will be for the better for it as well.”

Mr O’Donovan said he wanted to continue in his role as Minister and argued that people living with neurological conditions or disabilities should not feel that they have to leave public life or their careers.

He also thanked Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris for the support they provided to him during his illness.