James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I have to accept what the medical experts tell me and they say at this moment in time, particularly when we have to make hard choices about where the limited resources we have are spent, decisions and responses must be informed. On many occasions since I entered office, I said our policy would be evidence-based and so it will be.

The second part of the Deputy's question related to funding for charity to raise awareness of the possible symptoms. I have no issue with that and I will discuss it with the Deputy. There is little sense, however, if I am left with a choice between colorectal cancer screening and prostate cancer screening and there is no international evidence to support the latter and there is ample evidence to support the former, in doing other than what I am advised by the range of experts the Department has access to internationally.

See this speech in context