Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

Where somebody requires follow up, either a colonoscopy or treatment, that will be integrated as part of the service as it is with the breast screening service or the cervical cancer screening programme.

On the population to be screened, initially we are talking about people from 60 to 69 years of age. Half of the cancers occur in that age group. The resources will be made available and I acknowledge the support of the Irish Cancer Society which is providing resources towards the implementation of this programme, which is very helpful.

We have learned from other countries that we need to invest hugely in advance publicity and information because it is a very different screening programme. It will be the first screening programme involving men and the first screening programme where much of the screening will be self-screening using the kit that will be sent out. We need to be involved in advance publicity and information campaigns and they are currently being devised.

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