Seanad debates
Wednesday, 16 April 2003
Cancer Treatment Services: Statements (Resumed).
Let us give credit where it is due, however, specifically on the extension of the BreastCheck programme. I congratulate everyone who campaigned for the extension of that programme, thereby shaming the Government into extending it. I do not blame the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, for the non-extension of the BreastCheck programme, I blame the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach for that failure. It was only a question of money. The plans were in place and everything was ready to roll out. All that was needed was the allocation of funds. Some 48 hours before a march in which I was privileged to take part – leading a women's group from North Tipperary which had campaigned on the issue – a Government announcement, clearly under pressure, was made.
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