Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her attendance. I am not sure how well aware she is of Sarcoma Ireland, which formed last June or July owing to the lack of expert care in treating sarcoma here following the loss of a very experienced locum at the time. After much toing and froing we met the Minister, Deputy Harris. We asked him a series of five questions which have still not been answered. In that meeting in July he agreed that filling that post was necessary and he committed to advertise that post as soon as possible. This has been advertised and apparently the interviews took place last week.

I welcome Susan and her sister Anna in the Gallery today. There would be many more; nine have since passed away in the few months that they have been together as a group. Those are only the people that we know of because of their protests. The rest are ill and unable to attend.

I have five questions I would like the Minister of State to answer today. How many applications were received for this post? How many of those applicants were deemed qualified and eligible for interview? Who are the members of the interview panel? What is the most likely date the appointee will start to work at the sarcoma clinic? These are important questions and we need transparency in this appointment. Several different meandering paths have been taken and we really have not got to the point whereby we will get the expertise these patients require. We need a response from the Minister of State. I might also ask for the Minister, Deputy Harris, to contact me by the end of the day. The members of Sarcoma Ireland want five minutes with the Minister to discuss issues further.