Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I wish to share time with Deputies Moynihan-Cronin, Lynch and O'Sullivan.

I would also like to share my chance of life with them but cannot because I am the only female Labour Party Deputy present who can avail of free breast cancer screening. The reason is that I happen to live in Leinster while my colleagues live in Munster. BreastCheck has been available in County Wicklow where I live for a number of years. I and other women in the county have been called and screened twice under the programme, while the women of 13 counties are still waiting for their first visit.

For reasons of geography the chance of early detection of breast cancer among women is diminished. Given that early detection means better outcomes, women in the 13 counties in question are being denied the best chance of surviving breast cancer. We have seen significant political and resource investment in cross-Border efforts between North and South arising from the Troubles. There is, however, an east-west divide which can literally be a divide between life and death. An invisible border extends down the middle of Ireland and a form of apartheid persists for those west and south of the line.

Breast cancer screening is an essential and, at times, life-saving service, yet thousands of women are being denied it because they live at the wrong address. Why did this happen and why is it allowed to continue? The answers can be reduced to one simple problem, namely, a lack of willingness on the part of the Government to provide the resources needed to roll out a nationwide service.

The national breast cancer screening programme was started in 2000. The Government, particularly the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, set deadlines which it promptly ignored. Initially, the Minister promised a national roll-out for 2002, after which he promised the programme would be extended in 2005, but we are still waiting. Shamefully, the new Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, has set a new deadline of 2007, with no guarantee the programme will be rolled out by that date.

It is important that the Minister for Health and Children understands that women refuse to wait any longer. The Labour Party has been running a campaign in Connacht and Munster to highlight the issue. The latest meeting in the campaign was headed by Deputy Moynihan-Cronin in Tralee and attracted hundreds of women as well as many men. At the recent annual Progressive Democrats Party conference in Cork, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children as well as the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, were met by cancer survivors demanding screening services there.

It is worth noting that a new cancer support group has been established this evening in County Donegal. Women in particular are desperately concerned about the breast cancer statistics whereby women who present late have less chance of surviving breast cancer and a greater chance of being obliged to have a mastectomy. There is also a campaign underway in the south-eastern part of the country regarding radiotherapy services. In various parts of the country, despite the Minister's statements about investment in cancer services, people are organising to ensure the chance of life for themselves and their loved ones is improved by better cancer services.

To put it mildly, it is disturbing that a Government with unprecedented resources available to it seems to believe it is all right to keep women waiting which, as a result, puts their lives at risk. Somehow, this Government has not got around to giving this issue the priority it needs. We understand there are not always simple answers in the provision of cancer services and that choices must be made and standards of excellence must be balanced with accessibility. However, as far as breast cancer screening is concerned, there is no difficulty. Everyone understands the issue and wants to see a nationwide roll-out of the programme. However, time and again, the Government promises the implementation but does not deliver. The wonderful thing about BreastCheck is that it works and is a very fine service. The people working in BreastCheck can take pride in what they are doing. They deliver a high quality service and have been able to reach many of their targets. It is a part of our health system that works well. The problem and shame is that so many women are denied it.

It is also important to observe that while many women might be fearful of coming forward for breast cancer screening, it is an experience that should not engender fear. It is a very professional and accessible service and no woman who qualifies should feel any worry or anxiety about coming forward for breast cancer screening. This is demonstrated by the high numbers of women who come forward where the service is available. There is a twin benefit in screening in that in areas where it takes place, a higher level of awareness and information about breast cancer, how it can be tackled and how women can assist in protecting their own health exists. However, where screening is not available,a lack of information and to a degree, a lack of knowledge persists.

I will defer to my colleagues who are directly affected by the issue as they represent constituents who are denied the service. I represent a county that has the service. I want to support the people and women in particular who are denied access to a screening service to which they are entitled by right, that literally protects lives and would ensure a reduction in the death rate from breast cancer, as we have seen in Northern Ireland, Britain and other countries that have done what this Government should have done but has yet failed to do.

See this speech in context