Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that the NSAC will consider the final European Council recommendations on cancer screening and advise the Minister and the Department of Health on the evidence as it applies to Ireland. The NSAC is committed to ensuring the expansion of population-based screening in Ireland in a safe, ethical, robust and evidence-based manner. The introduction of a new population-based screening programme, therefore, can be a lengthy and complex process and can be possible only after a full evidential assessment has been completed against internationally accepted criteria and with scientific rigour. These programmes aim to reduce morbidity and mortality in the population through the early detection of disease and treatment, both of which greatly improve health outcomes. It is important, therefore, to take up the offer of screening, which is free and simple and could save lives. The Minister is committed to the further expansion of screening in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice.

I stress that awareness campaigns are very important, as is the infrastructure in our hospitals to be able to support them. As someone who comes from Galway, where we do not have that infrastructure, I fully concur it is important to have not only screening but also the relevant infrastructure in our A4 hospitals.

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