Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I commend my colleague, Deputy Reilly, on introducing this motion on behalf of the Fine Gael Party. Cervical cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the State, with 240 new cases diagnosed every year and some 100 deaths. The development of the HPV vaccine represents significant medical progress. The Minister gave an assurance to the public three months ago that this vaccine would be provided to all 12 year old girls. Three months later, however, this lifeline has been taken away for no apparent reason other than to save a few euro. It is absolutely outrageous.

The Minister has been in office for a long time but she cannot see that it is her job to save lives, show leadership and make a difference for the public she serves. Here the Minister had an opportunity to do that, but she has removed that possibility. This vaccine can save the precious lives of young women — the mothers, sisters and daughters throughout the country — for the paltry sum of €10 million. One can refer to the amount of money that has been squandered by successive Fianna Fáil-led Governments. A total of €45 million was spent on non-medical consultancy costs over a three year period in the Minister's Department. The Minister stood over this. A sum of €20 million was spent on PPARS, while Professor Drumm's advisers cost €1.6 million. These are outrageous figures. In this case, however, the Minister is faced with a problem she can address with €10 million but she will not do it.

The Minister has presided over the squandering of all this money. She should hang her head in shame. I spoke to a constituent tonight who is also a close neighbour. She was diagnosed two years ago with cervical cancer. Her life was turned upside down; in her words, her life has been "wrecked" by the scourge of cancer. Her family life has been ruined. She cannot understand what the Minister is trying to do to the Irish people. The Minister has the opportunity to carry out another U-turn. I would applaud her for doing it for the sake of young people and their future. The Minister should swallow her pride and reverse this decision. If she continues on this course, I call on all Government Deputies to support the Fine Gael motion.

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