Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Professor O'Higgins stated:

She established an expert group to specify quality measures so that the performance of centres could be assessed, compared and judged against the highest prevailing standards. When launching the report of the expert group in May this year, she expressed her determination to develop and designate the centres, a decision that followed shortly afterwards. She has supported strongly the extension of BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, soon to become a nationwide service. She enlisted the talented and experienced cancer specialist, Professor Tom Keane, from Canada, to guide the development of the national cancer strategy, in which services for breast cancer are a large component.

He also stated: "The Minister has taken major decisions to improve breast cancer care. Her decisions are not only courageous but they are necessary and should be supported."

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