Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim míle buíochas to Deputy Cullinane for the opportunity to speak on this vital issue. Since in inception in 2017, the national cancer strategy could have been a shining example of how to do things properly. However, the continuing failure of this and previous Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments to properly fund it means Ireland's cancer outcomes are in danger of going backwards. Ireland now holds the dubious honour of having the third-highest cancer mortality rates in western Europe and is ranked 30 out of the EU-27, which the Minister of State has just spoken about, for cancer survival.

It is unlucky for those, perhaps. It is unlucky for those 42,000 people who are diagnosed with cancer every year and who trust in the health service here to help them. It is unlucky for those who are seeking treatment when vital, hugely expensive medical machinery is left lying idle, as we discovered last week, because of insufficient funding or no staff to operate it. Why is there no staff? Is it because of the recruitment embargo that has been imposed by the Government, perhaps? Why is there insufficient funding? Is it because Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have for years failed to properly fund cancer services? Imagine your child's treatment being cancelled because of this. The answer to all those questions is an absolute "Yes".

The Minister of State's claims that there are significant advancements in cancer treatments are ridiculous. There were three in five people receiving radiation therapy by 15 days post-diagnosis in 2023 compared to four in five in 2018. That is a drop of 20%. Let us imagine being one of those people in that 20%. Thirteen years and three failed health Ministers is too much. It is time for real leadership to do what cancer sufferers need. It is time to have Sinn Féin in government and it is time for Deputy Cullinane to be a health Minister.

See this speech in context