Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I also want to highlight the report published today on the treatment of cancer in this country. It is clear, if we did not already know, that one's chances of surviving cancer in Ireland depend on where one lives in the country. We have known this for some time and it has often been discussed in this Chamber. One of the best ways to treat cancer is to detect it in the early stages. BreastCheck and cervical and prostate screening services are not available throughout the country. If these services were available to everyone, there would be early detection of these forms of cancer. There is great inequality in how screening services are provided in the country, although I realise that the Leader will inform me that these services are to be rolled out later this year. I welcome this but delays in implementing screening services have caused inequalities in our system.

Early detection is not the only factor in treating cancer and much depends on the type of treatment provided by specialists. People in the medical service have informed me that funding is a factor. Some people are offered chemotherapy and radiotherapy, others are not and this is a funding and equality issue that must be addressed. Everyone in the country must be treated in a similar fashion.

I listened to the Taoiseach's speech at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis.