Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I did not choose the locations for the centres. They were selected by experts, including the Irish Cancer Society, Europa Donna and a patient advocacy group active in this area.

On Deputy Finian McGrath's question, the changes will begin to take effect at an early date. I hope, in the first instance, that we secure buy-in from the clinical community. While this will not be forthcoming from everybody, the feedback I have received suggests many clinicians are excited about what is happening. We will get considerable buy-in from the clinical community early next year.

Professor Keane has done this work before and is immensely qualified. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Devins, will meet him shortly to discuss issues of concern to him. Professor Keane, who is very supportive of the centres, does not come new to Ireland. We have received assistance from British Columbia since I visited the province nearly two years ago. The individuals concerned did not arrive on Monday as we have already taken a great deal of advice from them. I was highly impressed during my visit to British Columbia where one will hardly find a person who does not praise the province's cancer services even though many people must travel long distances to access them.

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