Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

The Minister's heart is in the right place, as everyone's heart is. There is no one in this Chamber who does not know colleagues and friends who have gone through the trauma of breast cancer, either personally or in their families. The Minister is aware that we must have access to screening and would like to see a screening unit in every health board area. That is the forward strategy and funding is being committed to that.

Let us take things one step at a time. We have got phase 1 which is very successful and are now on phase 2 in respect of counties Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford. I have no doubt it will be up and running in a short period. I congratulate the Minister on taking a special interest in this area, providing €400 million since 1997 and having reports and research carried out to ensure we have the expertise available. We were short of radiographers and consultants in oncology whom we are now getting but it cannot happen over night. One cannot snap one's fingers and say everything is in place. It takes a while to get everything in motion. It is a serious matter. We are concerned about women who discover they have breast cancer. It is important that all backup supports are in place and that the women concerned have access to the nearest unit. The Minister is committed to this area and will do the right thing in the next few years. I have great faith in him. I am here to endorse what has been done and know the Minister has a programme in situ which will provide us with a national programme in the next three years.