Professor M. John Kennedy:

The Cathaoirleach asked which screening programme might be the one that is focused on first. I think that should be colon cancer. It is a common disease. We are increasingly seeing it in younger people, so it makes sense to lower the screening age. A quarter of all people who are diagnosed with colon cancer have advanced, incurable disease at diagnosis. We do not want to see that, so that is all about screening earlier. I would recommend that. The screening service will be in to talk to the committee and members can have a much more detailed conversation. The service will have clearly, scientifically defined goals and it will be interesting to hear that.