Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Hannigan, Callely, Norris, Walsh and Twomey expressed their serious concerns about issues relating to cancer screening. Members heard the Minister on the "Morning Ireland" radio programme this morning give a full and frank interview about this. I welcome the €30 million that has been invested in the programme, which started in September, to screen all females for this dangerous cancer. Last August the Minister did an interview during which the interviewer was very aggressively trying to make a point. However, the Minister quite correctly pointed out that everything was subject to funding. Senator Twomey is a member of the medical profession and I am always very careful to listen to members of every profession in this House. However, he and everyone else must welcome the €30 million that is being spent and the screening programme that started in September. The Minister said this morning that she will do everything she possibly can to ensure the vaccination programme begins at the earliest possible opportunity.

I congratulate the Minister for Health and Children on her attendance in the House yesterday. It was extremely uplifting to hear her being so open. She stayed for half an hour longer than scheduled for a question and answer session. We have being trying to introduce question and answer sessions in this House, with the co-operation of Ministers and Ministers of State, at the end of Ministerial presentations. It has been working quite successfully but yesterday was a watershed in terms of a commitment to this House by a Minister. I must compliment the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, on her contribution here yesterday and on sharing her wide-ranging views openly and candidly with Members.