Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I thank the Leader, in her absence, for arranging this debate. I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House for the debate. As one of those Senators who requested this debate, I acknowledge the early response to that call. This is an issue on which all of us have strong feelings, both as public representatives and individual citizens, with regard to the pervasive frequency of illness and mortality from cancer. Like Senator Feeney, I welcome the broad range of the debate, particularly in relation to the causes of cancer and the issues of prevention and screening.

I differ from Senator Feeney as to whether we are all singing from the same hymn sheet because it is clear that this is not the case. On this side of the House, we do not believe enough is being done in relation to cancer care, particularly with regard to the inadequate provision of resources, despite the claims we hear every day. I totally reject the line which ran through the Minister of State's contribution and through that of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, in the debate on cancer services in the Dáil last night. The message was that we cannot have a centre of excellence at every street corner, as if we were looking for an airport or, indeed, a centre of excellence in every village and town. Clearly, people are not seeking such provision.