Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

As Senator Fitzgerald correctly pointed out, the Second Stage debate on this Bill, which took place last week when the Chamber was not, perhaps, quite so full, was very special. There was a real air of empathy in respect of the staff, board and friends of St. Luke's. Everyone recognises the wonderful, valued care that is administered to people at St. Luke's, regardless of whether it is likely they will recover or whether their illness is terminal. One could almost have cut the air with a knife during that debate. The atmosphere which obtained in the House last week was very special.

The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Áine Brady, took the Second Stage debate and, as I understood it, she indicated that St. Luke's will remain operative until 2014 or possibly 2015 and that radiotherapy services will continue to be administered there.

On Second Stage, reference was made to the terrible stories that have emerged with regard to misdiagnoses and the fact that by the time some women and men received their diagnoses, it was too late. We all know what happened in these instances. I was of the view that letters such as the one sent to me at my home by Ms Kay Coburn, which I received at the weekend, were a thing of the past. My immediate reaction was to ask how this could happen. I did not hear Ms Coburn this morning on "Today with Pat Kenny". However, I believe her story about her beautiful young sister was heart-rending.

I really do not think it is acceptable that a person in the late stages of cancer should have to go in through an accident and emergency department. I tuned into the final part of the programme, when Dr. David O'Keeffe, a consultant radiologist, was interviewed by Pat Kenny. I was grateful and glad to hear him apologise. He said there are changes afoot and it is not right that cancer patients in centres of excellence, or specialist centres as I prefer them to be called, have to come in through accident and emergency departments. There needs to be some other type of admission process, perhaps through an oncology ward with at least two or three beds for people, like Mrs. Coburn's sister, who have to be brought in but are not in-stay patients.

I do not expect the Minister of State to accept these amendments. I would like to mention a question that has been raised with me about what might happen if St. Luke's Hospital closes its doors in 2014 or 2015. I am speaking as someone who buys into the whole cancer control programme, as set up by Professor Tom Keane. I support him when he says we cannot have units here, there and everywhere. When I say that, I do not mean to undermine the great work that is done in St. Luke's Hospital. If the hospital's lands and buildings are to be sold, both Houses of the Oireachtas should ensure the moneys in question are ring-fenced so they are not used for anything other than the treatment of cancer for public patients.