Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I wish Deputies James Reilly, Jan O'Sullivan and Jimmy Devins well in their new posts.

Sadly, the word "cancer" is probably the most feared word we can hear in Ireland and this is why we have such responsibility to ensure the very best treatment is available. Early detection and treatment is vital but it is clear that is not possible everywhere and in respect of everyone. Promises have been made consistently throughout the past decade but there has been little or no delivery; instead, there have been scares, scandals and slow progress.

The suspension of mammography services a month ago in Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, led to great unrest among women and their families who had availed of the services there in recent years. Some 3,000 mammograms and 2,500 breast ultrasound procedures were carried out since November 2003 in the timeframe under review. I welcome the review and hope something positive comes from it. I am not about to add to the alarm but my real concern is that a pattern can evolve for almost four years before it is noticed. I cannot prejudge the outcome and know from being in contact with the HSE that the review is progressing, but real investment in our services could possibly have prevented this. I ask the Minister to ensure the review is completed as soon as possible so the service can be reinstated in Portlaoise. There is no doubt that this, together with the Barringtons Hospital review, has led to what Deputy James Reilly described as a crisis of confidence. I have spoken to many women who have since questioned or are worried about their results from mammograms and ultrasounds.

I welcome the fact that women in my constituency have the opportunity to avail of the BreastCheck service, but I continue to deplore the fact that it is not available throughout the country. It is unacceptable that it has taken so long. I hope this Government lives up to its most recent commitment to roll it out nationwide. The much lauded radiotherapy service plan became nothing more than a football kicked from the HSE to the Department of Health and Children, or between Professor Drumm and the Minister, and, more often than not in recent years, kicked to touch. The clear lack of consultation between the two has left us with a significant delay and nothing to allay people's concerns. The target date for roll-out, 2015, will be just short of two decades after Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats coming into power.

Many of my colleagues have referred to transport in respect of centres of excellence. The Members on the other side of the House should note that the public simply does not believe it will be offered the transport necessary to bring patients to centres of excellence. I support the concept but real proof will have to be provided to demonstrate transport will be available. We have seen cuts in this area in practically every other area of the health service. The Government has a duty to ensure that, if centres of excellence are to be built, people will be provided with a means of travelling thereto.

I welcome the fact that the cervical screening programme is to be rolled out. Ireland has one of the highest death rates from cervical cancer. All expert medical opinion points to the need for early detection if one is to have a good chance of survival. Sixteen practice nurses have been trained in general practitioners' surgeries throughout the midlands for the past two years but have not been able to provide the service. In January we learned of a huge backlog. Is the Minister genuine in her commitment to provide the service nationally next year? I want her to offer a clear explanation to the House on how the results of treatment will be made known. Can she guarantee there will be no backlog given that thousands of extra women are entering the service?

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