Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Green Party for using its Private Members' time for what is a very important proposal, which it has covered well. I also thank the Minister for setting out his stall honestly and frankly, if not somewhat disappointingly. He has been honest and frank and what more can we ask of a Minister? He said that Senators will be aware that there is a finite budget and we all know that. I wish we did not have a finite budget but we do. Our development funding for next year is more limited than I had hoped. All of this was rehearsed during the budgetary process and it was clearly articulated by the Minister and others in the Houses and in the media that he had expected more and unfortunately it was not to be. That is not a failing on his part but the collective decision of Government.

We did not need this motion to convince us all that we had a business case or a need for it; there is clearly a need for it. The Minister was honest and frank and he has said what the case is. It needs to be kept on the agenda. I fully support the Greens in this; it is an important intervention. We should now be mapping out where we could get money and make a case for it. I congratulate Senator O'Reilly on tabling this Private Members' motion. I fully support it. I thank the Minister for at least being honest and upfront. The situation is just the way it is, but I hope that the Minister will commit to driving this. There is a clear case. Cancer is a terrible illness and affects more than just the patients. It also affects their families, their households and a range of others. People need to be given all of the supports, assistance and care possible.