Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What will happen now that Deputies Calleary and Flynn have said all of these things will happen before the service is moved to Galway? We will have transport arrangements, new facilities and a Mayo clinic in Galway, although there is no mention of a Sligo clinic in Galway. All of these wonderful things will happen before the service moves. Today's letter from the HSE to me states: "It is agreed that the transfer of breast cancer services from Castlebar hospital will occur in early September 2008." That is 14 weeks away. The letter goes on to state: "The national cancer control programme has committed not to move the service until we are satisfied that the quality of the service and access to that service is at least comparable to what is currently available in Castlebar." It states "at least comparable to what is currently available", but the Minister told us that this service will be demonstrably better than any service in Mayo or Sligo. This is palpably not the case and the Minister is not being true to either her political remit or her ministerial responsibilities.

See this speech in context