Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

The Minister has a very difficult job and has had to make very difficult decisions. This issue was unclear for many people until they met the man who cannot be named, Mr. Keane, and listened to him. It is one thing for a politician to say something, it is another for a clinician to say it. Almost ten years ago I was asked by Europa Donna to go to London for a meeting with clinicians. The clinicians made it clear that they realised politicians would want their local service to remain as close to home as possible. In three major cancer hospitals in London, however, the clinicians pleaded with us not to fight a parochial battle for a local hospital but to fight for the multidisciplinary team that will deliver best results for patients. Patients must come first. This has been a difficult issue for the Minister and for many public representatives throughout the country.

The patient's survival is the core issue. My father died from cancer. The debate appears to have centred on breast cancer but there are many other types of cancer. When somebody contracts that disease, one would be willing to take them to the moon if they could be cured. I want patients in Ireland to have the best potential for survival. Mr. Keane has convinced me that we can do it. I commend the Department on seeking his replacement at present so this process can continue. There is nothing worse than a good start and not finishing something, and people are concerned about that as much as anything else.