Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I also congratulate Deputies Reilly and O'Sullivan on their appointments. I hope Deputy Reilly has better luck than his predecessor in remaining a Member of the House.

Yesterday was a better day as regards the provision of cancer services. The fact that one person will be in charge of the strategy announced yesterday is welcome and I hope this indicates that the approach being taken is different to those taken previously. I am particularly conscious of remarks by previous speakers to the effect that there have been many strategies, announcements and new dawns. However, I hope the appointment of Professor Tom Keane, who possesses a wealth of international expertise, means that matters will be different on this occasion, particularly when the appropriate budgets and structures are put in place. When we come to review the strategy in the years ahead, I hope the results will prove me right.

It is important — this point is relevant as regards the operations of the HSE — that Professor Keane should, from the outset, make himself available to Members of the House to discuss both the implementation and roll-out of the strategy and Deputies' and people's concerns about it. This strategy will not work if it is forced upon people. There must be consultation and information must be provided. With such arrangements in place, the strategy can be successful.

I endorse the remarks of my constituency colleague, Deputy Flynn, in respect of BreastCheck. The fact the west is only now, eight years after the initial roll out, gaining access to this service is a disgrace. The roll-out of a service such as BreastCheck, which is internationally recognised and meets international standards, should not have been carried out on a pilot basis. Cancer is not a regional issue, it is a personal matter and all citizens, regardless of where they live, should have the opportunity to beat it. I hope the roll-out of future cancer screening programmes that are based on international best practice and that have worked in other countries will take place on a national and not a pilot basis.

An important part of the strategy in respect of which additional resources should be provided is that relating to research. In recent times many younger people who do all the right things in terms of lifestyle choices have contracted cancer. In the past we were given advice on how to live and what to eat and drink and informed that we would enjoy a healthier existence. However, the number of healthy people contracting cancer in recent times is scary. The area of research must be expanded and more money must be invested in order to discover what, as highlighted by the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, is triggering the increase in the number of cancer cases.

I welcome the fact the programme for Government and my party's manifesto contain a commitment to increase the level of resources and funding available to the hospice movement. I am familiar with the work done at the Mayo-Roscommon hospice and the people there truly are angels in respect of the support they provide to families experiencing such difficult times. Our record in the area of palliative care is not good. However, the expansion outlined in the programme for Government and my party's manifesto and the increases provided to the hospice movement through recent budgets are welcome.

I endorse what Deputy Flynn stated in respect of transport. Responsibility for the transportation of oncology patients must be removed from the existing hospital transport programme. A separate budget must be set aside for such services in order that the needs of patients who require transport to a centre of excellence or to an existing treatment centre can be met. The current position under which groups of patients are collected by the same vehicle and obliged to endure a round trip of perhaps 100 or 150 miles before undergoing the rigours of treatment is not acceptable, does not assist in patient recovery and does not promote confidence in the system.

I fully endorse Deputy Flynn's comments in respect of Mayo General Hospital. I have witnessed the work carried out there and during the past ten years members of my family have been obliged to avail of the services provided at the hospital. There is a fantastic team at Mayo General Hospital which deals with a number of cancer treatment disciplines. It does so on the basis of the O'Higgins report and its members give huge confidence to families because of their great professionalism and dedication. The team meets basic quality standards — this is not primarily a geographical issue, although the latter is a factor — as outlined by an international cancer expert and should be given support into the future. I accept that Mayo and Galway do not often agree on matters. If, however, we can work with the new centre in Galway to maintain the existing centre at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar and increase the standards that obtain there, a service will be done not just to Mayo but to the overall cancer strategy.

I welcome the opportunity we have been given to debate the roll-out of cancer services. This has been a significant week, particularly in the context of the announcement made yesterday. I accept that a great deal of pressure has been placed on Professor Keane with regard to delivering on the strategy. I am sure everyone in the House wishes him well because we all have an interest in him being successful in his work. I congratulate the Minister on Professor Keane's appointment. I look forward to working with her in the roll-out of the new service.

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