Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I strongly support this motion. It raises a sensitive issue which has touched most families and many Members of this House in the past few years. I was disappointed that the Government tabled an amendment to this motion. I ask the Minister of State to be magnanimous and not to divide the House on such a sensitive issue.

Early detection and treatment is the key to success in treating cancer. Unfortunately, many of our services are totally deficient in this area. There is a lack of cervical screening, breast screening has not been rolled out throughout the country, there is no colorectal or prostate screening and there are various other deficiencies in the service. We need someone of the calibre of the late Noel Browne to take this issue by the scruff of the neck and solve it by putting in place services and facilities to deal with it on a daily and professional basis.

I thank all the staff involved in this area, from hospitals to primary care and hospice care. They do an excellent job in difficult circumstances. There is also a major voluntary effort in this area for which many people are to be thanked. It is disgraceful that hospice home care nursing teams must be funded via voluntary efforts. Cancer sufferers need this basic service and it should be provided by the State. Any voluntary services should provide something that is over and above comfort for families and cancer sufferers. Basic services should be provided by the State.

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