Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Chair made the point earlier to the Irish Cancer Society was that now our problem is that people cannot get access to GPs. There is a huge problem with GP services in the State. It is probably not for today's discussion but we know people who cannot even get an appointment with their GP and there are others who cannot even get a GP. One of the GP services in my constituency, in Blarney, closed down recently when the doctor retired. She said that had she had support and had been able to get holiday cover and sick cover, she would not have retired but she felt so stressed and under pressure that she had to walk away. We are losing good doctors like this.

I am watching the time. I have two points if the witnesses have an opportunity to respond to them. The Irish Cancer Society stated that one in four people is put off seeking medical advice because they cannot afford it. It also made the point that we have a cancer strategy. We need to fund it and implement it.

What does the Government and the HSE need to do to ensure the implementation of the cancer strategy? Please outline a wish list.