Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

I join colleagues in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, on his appointment. I wish him well. I had the pleasure of serving with his father for many years. I am sure he is very proud that his son has now attained the same high office.

Yesterday's revelation by the Health Service Executive that the embargo on recruitment to the public service could prevent the planned roll-out of BreastCheck to counties Donegal, Leitrim and Clare within the often promised timeframe of 2009 came as a shocking bolt out of the blue not only to the thousands of women who are left without the benefit of this crucial health facility, but to the entire population of the region. We all have mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and nieces who may be vulnerable to breast cancer. Fortunately, its incidences can be greatly reduced by the availability of a screening service.

It is now nine years since BreastCheck was made available in certain parts of the State and it beggars belief that Donegal, Leitrim and Clare remain out of the loop. It is unacceptable that geographic location seems to determine the availability of such a critical health screening service. While we all understand the crisis in the public finances and the need to curtail recruitment to the public service, delivery of critical health services should and must be exempt. A blanket ban on recruitment is too blunt an instrument, particularly when it impinges negatively on the delivery of BreastCheck and other critical cancer services. This was acknowledged when arrangements for a derogation in certain critical areas were announced. What areas are more critical than cancer diagnosis and treatment?

To facilitate the roll-out of BreastCheck to the north west, I understand interviews have already been successfully concluded and that the radiography personnel are virtually on stand-by to operate the service. What is necessary now is to allow an exemption under the derogation clause so that the Health Service Executive can proceed without further delay in providing this long awaited cancer service to Donegal and the north west. Like my colleague, Deputy Joe McHugh, I am anxious to hear what the Minister of State has to say. There are rumours circulating in Donegal all afternoon, as I am sure there are in Clare, which have emanated from Government Deputies, to the effect that there is no cause for concern — nudge, nudge and wink, wink — and that everything will be all right on the day. This is not acceptable to the women of Donegal, Leitrim and Clare.

There must be a clear indication from the Minister of State of what is intended to be done. We will not tolerate a nudge, nudge and wink, wink approach. I understand a letter is circulating on the Government benches to some Members of the Dáil and Seanad reassuring them that the programme will go ahead as planned. The Minister of State must explain the situation in no uncertain terms in this House. Every woman in Donegal, Leitrim and Clare will listen to this debate when it is broadcast on the radio tomorrow morning. The Minister of State's response must be in black and white, no more and no less.

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