Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

The issue of cancer is an emotive one. It is a horrible aggressive illness, one by which all of our lives have been affected. Senator Cummins had a tragedy in his immediate family and I sympathised with him. We have stood here on many occasions and I always felt we were singing from the same hymn sheet. Everybody wants the best for cancer patients in this country and that is what today's debate is about.

I was shocked to hear the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, speak of 6 million deaths worldwide and a 1.5% increase every year in the number of deaths through cancer. He spoke of the increase being put down to a growth in population. Every day I hear of more friends of mine being diagnosed with cancer. I always wonder whether its prevalence is due to the fact that cancer is on the increase or we are getting older. I feel our environment has a role to play in the prevalence of cancer and that factors such as diet, work, environment and stress are adding to the prevalence of cancer.

Other speakers have said much of what I was going to say. The earlier the detection of cancer, the better the chance of survival. We need only look at our counterparts in Northern Ireland to see the great results they are getting, particularly in the areas of breast cancer and bowel cancer. I agree with Senator Henry when she stated that standalone centres or units cannot be encouraged. Those of us politicians who are out there fighting to hold on to small units should examine our conscience and ask why are we doing it. There is a definite result from Northern Ireland now showing that specialised units are the way to proceed. Units where there is a multidisciplinary team, with all the expertise that such teams can give, are the way forward.

Some 25% of all deaths in the Republic of Ireland are caused by cancer. About three years ago I stood on this very spot and was delighted to speak about the new oncology ward at Sligo General Hospital and the change it made for the people of the north west. Yesterday I spoke to staff in the oncology unit. Today I can tell the House that the oncology unit to which I refer has grown and a day ward has been added. The oncology unit has 16 beds and is worked and managed by a wonderful team. Unfortunately, we have lost our consultant to a bigger unit in Galway but we have a new consultant oncologist coming next February or March. We are lucky to have an excellent locum and haematologist running the unit. While I have the ear of the Minister of State, I wish to say that we are delighted with what we have. Patients in Sligo are saying they could travel to New York, Paris, Rome or anywhere in the world, and would not get the treatment they are getting from that dedicated team in Sligo.

The unit in Sligo was an old ward that was turned into an oncology unit. Our counterparts in Letterkenny had a greenfield site. They built up their unit. Theirs is a dedicated unit and is a much better structure than what we have in Sligo. We only have two side rooms. When somebody comes in with an infection, they run the risk of spreading that infection. If somebody comes in with low immunity, he or she needs to be isolated. The two rooms are being used on an ongoing basis and we really need another two or, possibly, three rooms. I acknowledge it is not all about money but what we need here is a little money and a little leverage to allow them to build this new structure.

Three months ago we opened the new inner relief road in Sligo and I am delighted to tell the House that the Mayor of Sligo, Councillor Rosaleen O'Grady, organised a fundraising walk where 4,500 people took to that new road to walk for cancer services. She handed over a cheque as recently as last week for €72,300 for the ongoing upgrading of breast screening and cancer equipment. I take my hat off to Councillor O'Grady and her team and to the people of the north west who so generously support all of this. It is all down to people coming together in the best interests of cancer patients.

I heard Senator Browne speak of Ministers coming out saying that BreastCheck has been rolled out all over the country. I have never heard anybody saying it has now been rolled out all over the country. There is a programme in place and it is coming into every area.