Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Two more were diagnosed, resulting in a total of nine, all of whom are receiving treatment and counselling. I reiterate my apology of some weeks ago to the women concerned for the delay in diagnosing their cancers. We are trying to minimise the possibility of this happening again.

An additional €1 billion has been invested in cancer care in the past ten years. This is a considerable investment. The task for Professor Keane will essentially, but not exclusively, involve the redirection of the available resources, just as he did in British Columbia. New resources will be made available also. I had a long meeting with Professor Keane last night and have asked him to identify the new resources he will require in the next year. He will begin to take responsibility for all cancer care developments from 1 January. He is to inform me of his requirements in the next few hours because the Minister for Finance will be making budgetary announcements in this area two weeks from today.

Our cancer service has excellent clinicians. It is, therefore, the manner in which the service is organised that is in question. Transport and accommodation issues must be addressed. When I was in British Columbia, I was impressed by the number of lodges built close to hospitals or treatment centres. Patients can stay in these lodges and do not have to be in the hospital environment. Most prefer not to be in such an environment, unless it is absolutely necessary.

On the Deputy's question on cancer care in the north west, the centres were not selected by me but by an expert group, mainly comprising clinicians but also officials from patient representative bodies such as the Irish Cancer Society and Europa Donna Ireland. They all remain strong fans of the locations selected. Professor Keane is strongly supportive of what we have done. All international evidence, comprising some 250 publications, suggests that volume amounts to quality. I hasten to say it is not a question of the quality of individual centres. To say "centres of excellence" implies the other centres are not excellent but this is not my implication since it is a matter of volume and environment.

In British Columbia all the tests are read at the centre. Those diagnosed at outreach locations experienced a level of diagnostic error in the order of 20%, as discovered when they came to the centre for follow-up treatment or further diagnosis. All the evidence has been compiled. Professor Keane is to put in place a clinical support team. I understand he intends to appoint a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and cancer surgeon to assist him in the development of the control programme nationwide.

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