Michael McDowell (Independent)

I have great pleasure in seconding Senator Craughwell's motion. He has spoken very eloquently and movingly about the personal aspects of this particular issue, which is raised in the notice of motion. I just want to say a few things. I am very grateful to him that he used the time of the Independent group of Senators to put this issue before the House. In large measure, it is something that is not spoken about. The HPV vaccination programme has been rolled out among school pupils, which is a very good thing, but it should be effectively brought to the attention of nearly everybody under the age of 30 that the vaccine is available, especially in the migrant world in which we now live, there are people who do not go to secondary school and who will not be dealt with in that way.

The second point I wish to raise relates to funding. I appreciate that everybody wants more money, but this money is extremely well spent. The figure in the motion that is of the greatest importance is that there is a 9% increased mortality rate associated with every four weeks that radiation treatment is postponed for oropharyngeal cancers. That is a clear indication that speed is of the essence and that properly established, funded units, staffed with expert personnel are provided to deal with this issue. That is essential.Our dental system is deficient, and many dentists both in the university hospitals and in private and State practice are struggling to give Ireland the kind of dental service it needs. At this end, however, the mortality rates and suffering rates that go with oropharyngeal cancer are very significant. There are things we can do on a prophylactic basis to warn and vaccinate people and get them to go to dentists so that these things are noticed in a timely manner. Anything the Government can do in relation to the HSE to concentrate resources and bring to the public's attention the real dangers of not dealing with symptoms and conditions that are indicative of oropharyngeal cancer should be done. It will save lives, improve the life experience of people who are afflicted with oropharyngeal cancer, improve their families' sense of well-being and bring about a fairer and more equitable health system. Excellence should be pursued. It is not enough to do what we are doing at the moment, which amounts to limited resources for a condition or set of conditions that will respond to increased resources and increased personnel.

I take pleasure in seconding the motion.