Since 1997 there has been an unprecedented level of investment in cancer services. Since the implementation of the national cancer strategy a cumulative figure of approximately €400 million has been invested in the development of cancer services. That represents an average increase of almost €60 million annually, well in excess of the £25 million initially envisaged in 1996 when the national cancer strategy was devised. It was thought that £25 million per year would cover the strategy but that would have gone nowhere near meeting the issue.