Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I join with Senator Kenneally in calling for a debate on cancer care. While Senator Kenneally and others who live south of a line from Dublin to Galway can celebrate the imminent roll-out of radiotherapy services, those of us living north of that line do not have the same privilege and cannot look forward to it. I ask the Leader to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to the House. I ask the House to impress on the Minister the need for radiotherapy services north of the line from Dublin to Galway. Consistently, on so many issues of essential and critical infrastructure, the north west in particular has been overlooked and left until last. Is it possible, for once, to lead from the front and set out a timeframe whereby we will introduce radiotherapy services for the north west?

On the issue of the Rossport five, I attended the committee meeting alluded to by Senator Finucane. Senator Ryan also mentioned the issue. I am sorry he did not take the time to come to yesterday's meeting to hear of the many things the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is doing. I ask the Cathaoirleach to please bear with me because it is highly regrettable and traumatic for the Rossport five who are in prison and their families. I commend the Minister for everything he is doing within his powers. That is all that he or the Oireachtas can do. He cannot interfere in the legal process. I very much hope the steps he has taken may lead to a successful conclusion whereby these people may purge their contempt.