Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend my comrade, Teachta Cullinane, on bringing forward this important motion. For many of us, time is of the essence in catching and treating cancer. Medicine is so advanced that a person has the opportunity to become cancer-free if a diagnosis is made and treatment is begun as soon as possible. Since the Covid-19 crisis, I have been contacted by people and families all across north Kildare who are anxious about their screenings for cancer being delayed. For too many people, early diagnosis and treatment are being denied. It is imperative that additional funds for screening be invested immediately so that more lives can be saved and better quality of life for a longer period can be enjoyed. For the sake of patients and their families, we simply cannot delay another minute.

Sinn Féin is proposing to provide lifesaving treatment. We are saying that we should get this investment into both screening and the implementation of the national cancer strategy, particularly in the Covid-19 environment, which as resulted in so many delays already. We know for sure that cancer does not social distance, it does not wash it hands of us and it will not put on a mask to protect us or the people we love from its effects. A a result, we must hit it hard and we must do so immediately, starting with the screening we are proposing. That will lead to speedy diagnosis, treatment and, for many, a future that is cancer-free. As has been said already, we all have loved ones who have died from cancer but thank God now we all know survivors as well. Let us keep it that way.

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