Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

A woman called to my constituency office about five weeks ago. She was disturbed and agitated that there did not appear to be a co-ordinated effort with regard to cervical cancer. Her general practitioner volunteered to carry out a smear test but the general practitioner was not paid for it. She did it from the goodness of her heart. My constituent believed there should be a proper system in place. I agree. There should be a system whereby all women, regardless of age, could be screened.

I welcome the publication of the national cancer strategy. I do not wish to undermine this important strategy but, like Senator White, I believe certain issues must be addressed. There must be a timeframe for the implementation of the strategy. Women from the west, north west and south west have a greater chance of dying from breast cancer because the systems have not been rolled out on time.

The condition of haemochromotosis has become more well known in the last few years. It is not anything to do with the Minister for Health and Children but approximately one fifth of the male population of this country will have haemochromotosis due to the presence of the gene. Many of the insurance companies appear to look on it as a type of Klondike in that they are imposing serious loadings on policies. Perhaps we should examine what the insurers are doing. It is a side issue to the health system but it is time we checked this. I believe they see it as a Klondike for themselves. It is an issue we must address.

Senator White is correct that over 700 women have died because of a lack of urgency about this issue. I hope the strategy will be delivered soon. The former Minister, Deputy Martin, has been complimented for introducing the smoking ban. I believe it is a wonderful ban but Deputy Martin more or less looked away from setting out and implementing a national cancer strategy. He deserves to be rapped across the knuckles for not dealing with that.

The Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, is very concerned about this situation. I wish him and the Government the best because this is a serious issue that should be above politics. I hope these matters will be dealt with sooner rather than later.