Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, published its annual report for 2003 yesterday. It is a fine report and I would like to compliment all those involved on the information it highlights and the number of women's lives saved because of BreastCheck. However, as regards the west of Ireland, there is a line in the report which states: "Subject to satisfactory completion of planning processes and the granting of planning permission, it is now projected that screening facilities will be commissioned in early 2007."

The women in the west of Ireland are as entitled as those in the east of the country to receive this treatment. We cannot wait for the full commissioning in 2007. The previous Minister for Health and Children granted €20 million for this particular project. We need the new Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to intervene, knock a few heads together and ask what has to be done. We cannot wait until 2007. Women will die from breast cancer and this can be prevented.