Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Coffey for his presentation. I read through his CV and it is extremely impressive. I thank him for all the work he has done to date.

On providing services for those who have cancer, we are experiencing many difficulties in recruiting consultants in particular, as well as junior doctors and nurses. Are we facing the same problem in cancer treatment and providing services for patients with cancer?

Dr. Coffey noted that approximately 40% of cancers can be attributed to lifestyle factors. Are we doing enough by way of education to deal with that, starting in schools and moving upward? I spoke to a coroner on Monday on a different issue and he made the point about the lack of knowledge among young people about an area that he has found himself dealing with. Education is about preparing people for future life. Have we done enough to incorporate lifestyle, whether it is what they are eating or physical activity - for example, into our education system from primary to secondary to third level - in trying to get that message across? If not, what would Dr. Coffey like to see change over the next five to ten years?