Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide:

I am delighted that we are going to develop a new strategy. There will be a number of key elements to it that will be critically important. We have discussed governance and how that is done for cancer in this country. There is a Goldilocks aspect, which is particularly important. Research for the strategy is crucial, as is integrating the benefits of research. This is because we know that research-intensive institutions produce better outcomes for patients.

Education is critically important. Underpinning all of this is equality of access and outcomes for all patients, including the patients the Deputy mentioned.

The other issue the Deputy raised brings up the issue of ultrasound and MRI access for patients. Obviously, in each individual case, a clinical decision will be made by the clinicians seeing the patient about the investigations he or she should have. The wider element of MRI and ultrasound access, however, is an issue. With the support of the Department for a national radiology strategy, it will be critical for us in order to have significant diagnostic capacity available for those patients.