The Sinn Féin Leader said the parents of 9-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt are shattered and heartbroken by the loss of their beautiful little boy.
He waited years for spinal surgery as his condition worsened, Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil.
The poor child struggled to breathe, she said.
"He was failed by Government. Harvey's case is not an isolated case. Such failures are shamefully a hallmark of your Government," she told the Taoiseach.
Mary Lou McDonald asked why the waiting list for spinal surgery is growing despite the Government's "fine words."
Micheál Martin said the experience that Harvey and his family had with hospitals and the clinical world was unacceptable.
He told TDs that the Health Minister and the Tánaiste will soon meet Harvey's parents.
The Taoiseach said he understands their anger and that of other parents whose children do not receive surgery at the right time.
He said the issue of stronger advocacy rights for parents when the come up against clinical decisions not to operate on a child, must be examined.
