Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When one has that experiences, one understands the gravity and import of the matter. I do not mean that disrespectfully. All Senators have experience of dealing with issues involving cancer, such as family members who died or loved ones who, thankfully, recovered. It is when one meets people face to face that one understands they are trying to be advocates and ensure specialist treatment is available for their son, daughter, father in law, mother in law or other loved one.

It appears that the post was filled by a very thorough and professional expert who was not given the job. Another person was offered the job but did not take it. If one has cancer, one goes to see a doctor who specialises in that cancer, be it breast cancer, prostate cancer or sarcoma. Many of those affected by this issue are children. The national cancer strategy has worked quite well. We all have an opportunity to effect change. The national cancer strategy has done a significant amount. The Minister of State mentioned that Cork University Hospital and St. Vincent's are centres of excellence. The gravity of the situation is brought home through the experience of meeting those affected and receiving emails from them. I know from the response of the Minister of State and from engaging on behalf of people that the job has been readvertised and St. Vincent's has drawn up a shortlist. We cannot allow a situation such as this to happen again. There must be no groundhog day.

The patients travel to St. Vincent's from various parts of the country. We need to restore confidence and put in place a pathway and continuum of care. The appointment of a medical oncologist with sarcoma expertise is the key factor in so doing. The Minister, Deputy Harris, met advocacy groups and sarcoma patients and approved funding for the position in St. Vincent's but unfortunately, as Senator Devine stated, some of the patients have gone to their eternal reward, while others have come to us to advocate and champion this issue. I commend the Senator on the role she has played. It is because she raised the matter in the Seanad that people came to me on it having seen the transcript of proceedings. That was the reason for my meeting family representatives. Our bona fides are that we are speaking on behalf of patients and their families. This is not a political matter put forward by Fine Gael or Sinn Féin. Rather, it is being raised by individual Senators who have met families and people who benefited from the clinical lead with expertise in sarcoma. We want such expertise to be available at St. Vincent's.