Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The transport and accommodation issues are central to making this plan a reality. Appropriate accommodation is needed for those who must travel long distances from home for radiotherapy whereas surgery is a once-off experience. The idea is that both developments will take place at the same time. As the centres are built up, they will have considerable capacity and expertise. We are not starting on greenfield sites. Some of the top clinicians in the world, both doctors and nurses, are working in the cancer area and their number has increased significantly in recent years. We want to organise within these centres and, in particular, retain all cancer functions in one place. As a result of the manner in which some of our hospitals are managed, cancer patients in some hospitals are located on every ward or floor, which is inappropriate. We want dedicated beds ring-fenced for cancer patients. Professor Keane and the medical colleagues he will bring on board to assist him will have responsibility for implementing the plan. It will be realised.

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