Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

We recognise in Sligo that there are savings to be made. I spoke to the manager of the hospital this morning and they are prepared to make them. They have to make them. It is the world we live in. We all know about budgets and we have to work within our allocation.

I am very used to hearing Fine Gael Members say they met a man who said this, a woman who said that or a child who did something. I did not hear either of the speakers talk about the wonderful contribution of Mr. John McCormack, chief executive officer of the Irish Cancer Society, on "Morning Ireland" today. It was a wonderful contribution. He talked about cancer services having turned a corner and how it is an exciting time for cancer care in Ireland. He knew it was long overdue but the time has come. It has turned a corner. He said that in welcoming the announcement of the eight new designated cancer services centres that are to be set up,there is no doubt these centres will improve the outlook for patients suffering from cancer. He said outcomes in the centres will be much better and that there will be a 20% better chance of beating cancer in these centres because they will have multidisciplinary teams. I would have expected Senator Twomey to know at first hand what multidisciplinary teams would mean for people.