Harney accused of South cancer debate snub

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney was last night accused of giving “two fingers” to people in the southern region by her absence from a Dáil debate on cancer services.

During an adjournment debate on the letter written by a leading cancer consultant to the Tánaiste, Fine Gael’s Bernard Allen said he was “quite staggered” she was not present.

“Her absence is treating the people with arrogance and contempt,” he said.

Junior Minister Tim O’Malley apologised on her behalf. He said she was attending an engagement to which she had made a commitment some time ago.

Issues raised in the letter, written by medical oncologist Dr Seamus O’Reilly, led to prolonged and angry exchanges in the Dáil on Tuesday about cancer services in Cork and Kerry.

Last night, several TDs voiced concern and frustration at what they described as an appalling service.

Dan Boyle (Greens) said there was a “vehemence of anger not only about the dearth of services but also by the pathetic Government response”.

Jimmy Deenihan (FG) said the incidence of cancer was 22% up in Kerry, yet a locum consultant only visited Kerry General Hospital once a fortnight and was unable to see all patients.

Mr Allen said the letter disclosed an “apartheid in our health services. If you pay you get immediate service. If you are public, you do not”.

In relation to breast screening services, Kathleen Lynch (Lab) asked: “Why is the health of women in Leinster more important than that of women in Munster? That defies logic.”

In response, Mr O’Malley outlined the significant cancer services and investments made in Cork and Kerry in recent years.

He listed the large number of cancer consultant posts created and pointed to the approval given two weeks ago for a €47 million cardiac, renal and oncology unit.

He said he was confident that BreastCheck would be rolled out in 2007 as promised. Once running it would be available to 72,000 women in the southern region.