Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

As a female Deputy from Mayo and a former chairperson and member of the Western Health Board for several years, it gives me no pleasure to have to speak on this motion. It is incredible that in April 2005 we are discussing an issue that involves discrimination against 130,000 women who are in the target group within the west and southern regions who should be entitled to have the breast screening programme in their areas.

I know the Tánaiste is sincere about this issue, but when she took up her appointment as Minister for Health and Children she mentioned in her introduction speech the entitlement of people to an equality of service throughout the country. This is a glaring example of total inequality of service affecting the women of the west and southern regions.

I remember being a member of the Western Health Board when the national breast screening programme was established in 1998 and it was welcomed countrywide. Less than two years later in March 2000 that service was available in the east, the north-east and the midland regions. We are all aware of the success of that programme since its implementation. On 27 March 2003 after lobbying the then Minister extensively for the extension of that programme, he announced its extension to the western and the southern regions, yet it is now 2005, more than two years later, and the advertisement has not even been placed in the EU Journal for the appointment of the design team. Why is that? Is it because priority was not given to the provision of this screening service for women in the west and the south?

Not only has more than two years elapsed since the announcement of the extension of the programme, it will be a further two years before the service will be rolled out. It will take probably in excess of four and a half years for the extension the programme since its original announcement. Yet when it was announced in 1998 that the programme would be available in the east and the north-east regions, the service was rolled out in a period of two years. It is clear that priority has not been given to women in the west and in the south. It is easy to understand the anger of women in those regions.

Of the 130,000 women targeted in the age group 50 to 64, it is expected that there will be detection of 400 cancers every year. Some 400 lives are being put at risk. How many times have we debated in this House the terrible carnage and loss of life on our roads? Some 400 lives in the western and southern regions are at risk because of the lack of a service that is already available in the eastern region. That is unacceptable. This service has been available in Northern Ireland for in excess of ten years. As a Deputy from the west, it is difficult to stomach and to understand this situation.

I heard the Tánaiste interviewed on this matter on "Prime Time" and it was clear she intended to establish the extension of this programme as one of her priorities. I heard her talk about this at the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, yet a briefing document today states that it is anticipated that the advertisement for the appointment of a design team will be placed in the EU Journal shortly. In 2003 when I was a member of the Western Health Board we were told the roll-out of this programme would take 18 months. It now appears that since its original announcement it will take four and a half years. That is not acceptable.

When one considers the international comparisons of mortality rates of women with breast cancer, the rate is significantly higher here and above the EU average. How could it be any different when virtually half the women are not getting a service that is vitally needed? I ask the Minister to put this service in place for women who are desperately in the need of it as a matter of priority. I take up a point Deputy Fox raised. It is important to extend the screening programme to include women, irrespective of their age, who are particularly at risk because of relatives who have had breast cancer.

I support Deputy Devins and the section of the motion calling for expansion of the cervical screening programme nationwide. While cervical cancer does not cause the same incidence of death in women as breast cancer it is a critical area. It is important to show good faith by extending this programme nationally as a matter of priority.

I know the Minister is genuine about this issue. I genuinely believe this to be the case, having spoken to her at the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children about it. Unfortunately, actions speak louder than words. The women of the west and the south have waited long enough already. That advertisement must be placed in the EU Journal as a matter of priority. I hope this service can be rolled out in the quickest possible timeframe available.

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