Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady. As other colleagues have done, I pay tribute to all the staff in St. Luke's Hospital for their enormous work, dedication and commitment to patients which are not alone evident in the treatment outcomes for patients but also in the confidence, security and comfort with which they have been able to receive treatment. This can only have come about through the tremendous efforts made by staff in the hospital who have gone beyond the call of duty. I give credit also to those who have supported the hospital, who have raised funding, volunteered or given of their time in other ways. Their efforts have resulted in the provision an outstandingly high standard of service.

I was struck by the level of concern expressed at talk of a change in St. Luke's Hospital when the Bill was published. There were concerns that this would signal the end of the hospital and the excellent service provided therein. That is a reflection of the high regard in which the hospital is held. It is also symptomatic of the degree of uncertainty in the face of change. It is important that we put the matter in context. This is about taking the next step forward in enhancing cancer services. I have great regard for Professor Tom Keane who has led the programme that has resulted in concrete and tangible achievements. In the years to come a greater number will survive cancer because of the steps that have been taken in the national cancer programme. The proposed developments in the Bill represent part of the next step to enhance the level of service and increase the capacity, effectiveness and efficiency of the service.

I welcome the two new radiotherapy centres at St. James's and Beaumont hospitals; the former will open at the end of this year and the latter early in 2011. What was especially important about them opening within that timeframe was that one of the concerns expressed was that perhaps services in St. Luke's Hospital might come to an end before the new centres were opened. That they are due to open by the end of this year and early next year and that services will continue in St. Luke's Hospital until 2014 is important in terms of service delivery. The centres in St. James's and Beaumont hospitals will be well served by taking the lead of St. Luke's Hospital in the delivery of services. It is important that under the Bill everyone will be brought under the umbrella of the same service in terms of co-ordination and inter-agency co-operation. In all of the reports, whether they relate to direct service provision or general health services, one of the deficits that is constantly identified is that there is not enough inter-agency co-ordination and co-operation. The Bill is a positive step forward in ensuring we tackle this aspect from the outset. I pay tribute to all involved and reassure people that this is a positive step forward. There will not be a discontinuation of services. The Bill is about increasing and enhancing the level of service, not diminishing it.