Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On this morning it is appropriate we bear in mind the absolutely stunning victory of Senator Barack Obama in his bid to become the 44th President of the United States. I am sure the House would want to send good wishes to him on the monumental task he is undertaking and the responsibility he is being given by the American people.

I contrast the wave of euphoria which has washed across the United States and many parts of the world with the pessimism and cynicism that exists here. An event in this country yesterday epitomised that point exactly. Two reports were published, referred to by both Deputies Reilly and O'Dowd, which dealt with cancer services in the north east and the abolition of a programme for cervical cancer vaccination for girls between ten and 12 years old. It reminds me of the incident in Britain a number of years ago when a famous remark was made that "it was a good day to bury bad news".

The cervical cancer vaccination programme was to cost less than €10 million and was announced in August by the Minister for Health and Children. She stated it was clearly now a priority to move on to vaccination for young girls, with the clear intent of preventing death because 80 people may die from cervical cancer every year. As Deputy Reilly pointed out, the amount of money involved is tiny and in the context of the long-term saving of lives, the Government's action is short-sighted.

When was the report for the north east received? What was the role of the Minister for Health and Children and her officials in announcing this abolition of the cervical vaccination programme yesterday? Why is there an intention to have pay increases of approximately €263 million next year when front line services like this, which are so important for young girls, are being cut? Why was yesterday chosen as the day to make the announcement when the HSE and the Minister for Health and Children knew — or perhaps expected — that people might not notice it?

In the context of the very small amount of money involved and lives which could be saved, as pointed out by Deputy Reilly, does the Taoiseach agree that allowing for pay increases and bonuses for managers of quite an extensive nature epitomises the fact that, in desperation, the Government will chop a service providing health and safety measures for all those young girls, some of whom will contract cervical cancer in future years?

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