Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The HSE administration cannot do that either. The clinical and medical directors make such decisions. The HSE recently announced the appointment of Professor Tom Keane as the interim director of the national cancer control programme. His function is to lead and manage the establishment of a national cancer control programme. The delivery of cancer services on a programmatic basis will serve to ensure that we get equity of access to services and equality of patient outcomes. I accept that is important irrespective of geography. Investment in cancer control will be based on the reform programme now being implemented by the HSE. I know Deputy Kenny supports that reform programme, as I do. The implementation of the national cancer control strategy is a priority of Government. It is the policy of the Government. The reorganisation of cancer services is at the heart of the delivery of the strategy. It is imperative that the decisions of the HSE in regard to the designation of the four managed cancer control networks and the eight centres are implemented without delay. That is our policy.

I have noticed that every little effect on the service around the country under the HSE budget of €14 billion, which caters for 120,000 people, is being faxed to me, as it is to the Deputy and to every Member. This concerns a 1% control on the HSE's annual budget, based on its national strategy, and represents a small amount of the overall resources.

See this speech in context