John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Professor Niall O'Higgins's report accepted the scientific foundation for eight centres of excellence for cancer care. There should be only two centres in Dublin. The British Columbia cancer care model would reaffirm this. How can the Minister justify not having a centre north of Galway? The population of the north west is 400,000, with up to 4,000 mammograms being conducted at a world class service in Sligo General Hospital. Has the Minister examined the Sloan-Kettering model in America which operates an effective outreach service?

Concerning the cross-Border dimension to cancer services, the Minister stated she would come back to us on the development of a centre with County Fermanagh and the unique opportunity to keep a cancer care service in the region. Will she indicate when BreastCheck will be rolled out in the north west?

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