Health information is fundamental to assessing and implementing quality programmes. The national health strategy has provided for the establishment of an independent health information and quality authority to lead the development of health information to support these requirements. The authority will exercise a pivotal role in relation to a number of key information functions. It is only through focusing on specific information developments such as this, to build on the excellent work of the National Cancer Registry, that we will be able to demonstrate continuously the positive impact that cancer services can have, and also identify the areas which may need to be addressed to strengthen further our cancer care system.