Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

As Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, I commiserate with the women in Laois who are suffering at this horrendous time. I echo the apologies that my colleague the Minister, Deputy Mary Harney, made in the House this morning.

Hearing the news that one has cancer is always very difficult. It raises many emotions, which can include shock, anxiety, sadness and uncertainty. I can only imagine the torment and anguish that the women in question are experiencing and I am distressed that a situation like this has occurred. It is a traumatic turn of events for these poor women and their families. I, like the other Members, hope they make a full recovery.

I concur with the statements of the chief executive of the Health Service Executive, Professor Brendan Drumm, who described the misdiagnosis of the women who went for breast cancer scans as "appalling". It is imperative that such incidents not be allowed to recur. This issue is far more important than party politics and I am sure the partisan political points made by some politicians in this House on this issue ring very hollow for the women in Laois and their families.

I will outline briefly some facts to the House. Since the implementation of the first national cancer strategy in 1997, approximately €1 billion has been invested in cancer services nationally. Over 100 additional consultants and 360 additional clinical nurse specialists have been appointed in key areas of cancer care. The Estimates for 2007 include additional Revenue funding of €20.5 million for cancer control, that is, for screening, acute services and research. Patients in Ireland are benefiting from the development of a clinical trials network nationally. Between 2002 and 2008, the Health Research Board will have invested more than €21 million to support this initiative.

The policy of the Department and Health Service Executive is to implement A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006, which was prepared by the National Cancer Forum. Investment in cancer control will be based on the reform programme now being implemented by the Health Service Executive. The programme is to provide the necessary governance, integration and leadership to create the essential framework for cancer control.

It is essential that the national cancer control programme be delivered and I am particularly keen to see stepped, practical and demonstrable early progress in this regard. This is a real opportunity for cancer control to be a key driver in the overall health reform programme.

I welcome the appointment of Professor Tom Keane as interim cancer control director. I understand he will report directly to Professor Drumm and will be set key deliverables during his 24-month term of office. He has an excellent record of delivering on cancer control services in British Columbia in Canada. I am hopeful he will make a difference when he starts his job in the next couple of weeks. He has the full support of the Minister, myself and the other Ministers of State in the Department of Health and Children.

I am fully behind the idea of centres of excellence. It is vital, in light of what happened in Portlaoise, that women in this country receive the best care to the highest international standards.

In my area in County Sligo, there has been much public debate about the future of cancer services. I am very pleased the Health Service Executive has responded to my request that Professor Keane visit Sligo General Hospital to view at first hand the services available therein. This will certainly educate him on the range of facilities and expertise available. I would like representatives of the Health Information and Quality Authority to visit Sligo General Hospital and carry out a full audit of its cancer surgery services. I know from my visits to the hospital that the surgeons, nurses and staff, whom I have met, share my wish that their work be independently audited so the women in the north west can be assured the services they are receiving are of the highest international standard.

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