Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I tabled a motion on the need for a cervical cancer screening programme at the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party six months ago and I will raise the matter again in the next two weeks.

I am embarrassed to contemplate that if one has money, one can have a mammogram tomorrow or the day after, but those who cannot afford to pay for it for themselves will use the income they have to buy shoes and other necessities for their children.

Another important point is the prevalence of ageism in health screening. Like Senator Henry, I am mortified when I see the advertisement on television encouraging women who are under the age of 65 and live in a certain part to be screened for breast cancer. I point out the cheek of the bureaucrat in the Department of Health and Children who decided that women over the age of 65 should not be included in the breast screening programming in the areas of the country were it is available, and I will not go into the debate on why that is not available throughout the country. As regards the ageism aspect, there are words in my head that I do not want to use because they are too basic, but it is ultra-conservative social thinking and ignorance that ageism is introduced in health matters. Why should a woman over the age of 65 not have as much right to be screened for breast cancer as a woman under the age of 65?