Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The answer is comprehensive and I am very pleased with it. Can I take it that these are the decisions for the medium to long term? Will this be the arrangement to be in place? If it is, it is a very satisfactory outcome, which will give the perfect balance between having all the co-ordination, each one working in tandem with the other. I have no difficulty with one having a lead role in a speciality, which makes sense. If this is as it will be and if this is the decision from the national cancer control programme, it is a very satisfactory answer to the question I raised and it should allay the fears of many people. The surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy will be available locally while on the other hand every piece of national information, skill etc. will be available through a linked-up system between the four centres. I ask the Minister to confirm that my reading of the situation is correct.

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