Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It is also evident from the structural changes that have been included in an independent, expert and arm's length overseer of standards and safety. Now getting into full swing, the Health Information and Quality Authority will have an ongoing, proactive role in ensuring that institutions, services and indeed individuals are up to the clinical and caring tasks they undertake. In time, this will be seen to be a major protection for patients and their families.

However, it is in cancer services, especiallybreast cancer services, that the Minister's qualities and determination are best seen. I can do no better than to quote extracts from today's letter in The Irish Times from the emeritus professor of surgery in University College Dublin, Professor Niall O'Higgins, who chaired the expert group on how the national service for women with breast cancer should be developed.

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