Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I look forward to a very robust debate on Seanad reform. We look forward to the Minister's arrival in the House.

In respect of what has been said in the Lower House about cancer services and the motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health and Children, one of the comments the Minister made last night related to the Opposition parties working with the Government on cancer care services. I take this opportunity to inform the Minister that most of the Opposition parties agree fully with the cancer strategy and that all through 2006 and the beginning of 2007, when I was Fine Gael spokesperson on health, we fully supported her. What we were looking for was an implementation policy. I wish to put on the record of this House that the Opposition supports the Minister in respect of cancer services.

The Minister has received incredible support over recent years from the Opposition in respect of some major issues in the health service. I backed her in respect of getting a consultants' contract because this is the basis of all the problems we are seeing.