Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I did not hear the Minister mention the resources that will be available in the future, although she did speak about those that will be available this year. The brave fight by Susie Long, who sadly passed away at the weekend, has shown how essential it is that there are adequate resources available in the public health service for cancer treatment services. I want a commitment from the Minister that there will be adequate public resources to address the development of this programme. What she said and what was contained in the press release following Professor Tom Keane's appointment appears to relate to a redirection of existing resources. We know that the incidence of cancer is growing at a rate of 4% to 5% per annum. Clearly, this will result in increased demand. I am concerned that the Minister is again setting up something that will be at a distance from herself as Minister for Health and Children and that as such, we will not be able to raise questions with her in respect of accountability to the public for the provision of adequate resources to address this most important issue which affects every family in the country.

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