A great deal has been said about cutbacks. Any health delivery service that does not examine its operations on a ongoing basis, challenge its own decisions and ensure that value for money is obtained in the delivery of services, is not in touch with reality. Ireland is a small country and far too many of our citizens, young and old, are dying form the scourge of cancer. The application of resources must, therefore, be done in an organised and concerted manner to ensure that the optimal benefit accrues to those who suffer from cancer.