Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to take the opportunity to discuss this subject. I never considered that when the Minister, Deputy Harney, announced the introduction of the programme last August we would spend a Wednesday evening discussing the way it has been dismantled so quickly. If the Minister is determined to stay in power, she must take back control of the health service. It is a system run with no heart and no business sense. Those in the health service know everything about protecting their own interests, which is usually a job at all costs and this includes the Minister, Deputy Harney.

Since the budget every aspect of expenditure, including health, agriculture or education has been treated in the same fashion. No elected representative who supports the Government, whether from Fianna Fáil, the former Progressive Democrats, the Green Party or Independent, has met with the public to explain its actions and how it came up with certain aspects of the budget.

It is acceptable for anyone to play the political card, especially if one operates in the world of politics, but we are discussing people's lives, and more importantly, saving people's lives. The Government is putting 100 people, at a cost of €100, 000 each, at unnecessary risk of developing cervical cancer each year. This equation puts the life of every woman who will develop this cancer at €100,000. Is this the cost the Government puts on a woman's life?

I refer to another financial point. How much does it cost the State to treat a patient who may or may not live after they have been diagnosed with this cancer? A sum of €100,000 would not see such people through the first six months of treatment when one considers the cost of hospital accommodation, possible surgery, medication and other therapies. This is why the decision is so uneconomic and inhuman. The facts are in the HIQA report. There is no justifiable argument for cancelling the wonderful opportunity which the Minister announced last August.

The Minister should get rid of her advisers and spin doctors. Let us show some humanity in the manner in which we run the country and especially the health service. I cannot understand how we reached this point. When the Minister announced the programme last August it was seen as a move forward. I have been a Member of the House for three years and I was previously involved in such businesses as farming, pubs, restaurants and sales. I learned that one must always approach finances using common sense. In my three years in the House I learned everything is related to money. There was money available and now it is gone. However, in this case one must mix financial needs with those of the heart. I do not know who advised the Minister and I realise she is not listening——

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