Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

We have just debated reform of the Dáil and making it relevant. If there is any subject to which sufficient time should be devoted, it is cancer services. Everybody is talking about this issue and there is a huge crisis of confidence. Women all over the country who have had mammographies or other tests are concerned that their hospital could be the next one in the news.

Only four speaking slots are assigned in the debate and we cannot accept so little time for such an enormous issue, especially given that the Taoiseach reneged on all responsibility for it earlier and threw it back on the HSE. Somebody has to take responsibility, take the lead and tell us what will happen in the meantime to services while the centres of excellence are established. How will they be resourced? When will they be in place? Who will take responsibility for providing the funding to make them happen? What will happen in the meantime? The Labour Party fully supports the proposal by the leader of Fine Gael. We absolutely must have more time to debate this pressing issue if this Chamber and this Parliament is to have any relevance to the people of Ireland.

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