O’Meara appointed to top cancer post

FORMER senator and journalist, Kathleen O’Meara, has been appointed to the newly created position of head of advocacy and communications at the Irish Cancer Society (ICS).

Ms O’Meara will play a leading role in achieving new targets set by the society in both reducing the incidence of cancer and in the provision of public information and support.

In particular, the society wants a zero-tolerance approach to smoking in young people, a reduction in the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer and giving everybody access to information and support.

The society is determined to play a vital role in achieving world-class cancer services in Ireland to ensure that fewer people get cancer and those that do have better outcomes.

The ICS said its goals are focused around prevention, survival and quality of life with three programme areas to achieve them: advocacy, cancer services and research.

Ms O’Meara was a member of the Seanad and the Labour Party from 1997 to 2007.

She was Labour’s front bench spokeswoman on childcare and Labour whip in the Seanad.

Before entering politics Ms O’Meara worked as a journalist in RTÉ and as a ministerial adviser to Eithne Fitzgerald on the Freedom of Information Act.

Born in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, she is a triplet, and is a sister of journalist Aileen O’Meara. She retired from politics last year.