Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I also welcome the opportunity of making a brief contribution to the debate and compliment Deputy Twomey on his work in this regard. I may get a future chance to debate his political philosophies because, having received 5,815 votes in Wexford in the last general election, he now tells us a Labour-Fine Gael Government will solve all problems. Perhaps we could debate the matter on another occasion.

This is a serious subject and we should all support the Tánaiste in what she is trying to achieve. BreastCheck operates under the women's charter, an integral feature of the programme's day to day operation. It recognises women, not only as recipients of the service, but as having ownership on a partnership basis with the service provider.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer. There are more than 1,700 new cancer cases each year and more than 600 deaths. Some 18% of cancer-related deaths are as a result of breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer is almost 9%, or one in 12. The greatest number of cases occurs in the 50 to 64 year age bracket.

The national breast screening programme was established in 1998 following a pilot period from 1989 to 1994. The aim of the programme was to reduce premature deaths from breast cancer by effectively identifying and treating the disease at an early stage. The programme targets women in the 50 to 64 year age group and commenced screening in March 2001 with phase 1 covering the eastern, north-eastern and midland regions. Screening has also commenced in Counties Wexford and Carlow and BreastCheck is expected to begin screening in County Kilkenny. Screening is offered free of charge to all women in the target age group in those areas. I support the extension of this programme.

I wish to speak about my constituency, Dublin South West, and areas such as Tallaght, Firhouse and Greenhills.

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