Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I have tabled amendment No. 14. This issue is important because anybody who knows someone who has suffered from cancer knows the return of the cancer can be much more distressing and dangerous than the original condition. It would be punitive not to allow for this. There is a likelihood in certain cases that the cancer will return later on. What will women do if they find themselves in these circumstances without the financial and physical means and support mechanisms to deal with the stress, which would be double or treble what they originally felt? We have to allow them to return to the tribunal to receive its protection and support and, therefore, that of the State. To do otherwise would be punitive. As Deputy Kelly said, it was allowed in the case of the hepatitis C tribunal. All the Minister would have to do is copy and paste what was allowed for in that case and insert it here, which is what we have done.