Noonan to stay as minister despite cancer

Michael Noonan has signalled he intends to stay on as finance minister after revealing he had a cancerous lump removed from his shoulder last week.

The 71-year-old minister, who had the key cabinet role steering the country out of the bailout crisis, had surgery following five weeks of radiotherapy after developing a lump, known as a sarcoma, in February.

Mr Noonan said he remained finance minister at Enda Kenny’s “discretion”, but a source close to the Taoiseach confirmed it was “absolutely” the case everyone wanted the Limerick TD to stay in the pivotal economic role.

The finance minister made the skin cancer revelation following rising speculation about his health in recent weeks.

Mr Noonan insisted that his medical team are “upbeat” about his prognosis, and that a risk of reoccurrence was “low” as he explained what he had been through.

“In February 2014, I noticed a lump on my right arm in the shoulder area. On medical examination this was identified as a sarcoma which needed to be removed,” Mr Noonan said in a statement.

“During late March and April, I received five weeks’ radiotherapy at St Luke’s Hospital to shrink the sarcoma. Last Wednesday, May 28, the sarcoma was removed at Cappagh Hospital.

“I was discharged on Saturday, May 31. My medical team believe the treatment has gone very well and are upbeat about the prognosis. There is no damage to my shoulder muscle and my risk of recurrence is low.

“I wish to thank all of the staff at St Luke’s Hospital and Cappagh Hospital, and in particular my medical team.

“I will continue to serve as minister for finance at the Taoiseach’s discretion.”

The former Fine Gael leader and veteran cabinet minister said that he had gone public with the news “to ensure accuracy and clarity” following a number of media enquiries.

With a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle expected once the Labour leadership results are announced on July 4, Mr Noonan’s position appeared safe, unless he chose to step down of his own accord.

However, Mr Noonan’s statement revealing skin cancer was seen as clearly indicating that he wishes to remain on as finance minister.

Mr Noonan has been central to the Government’s economic strategy at home while rebuilding confidence abroad during three years in power which saw Ireland emerge from the troika bailout without a financial safety net in place as it returned to the money markets for financing.

Former Fianna Fáil finance minister Brian Lenihan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at Christmas 2009, and remained in his cabinet post until that government was removed from office in the February 2011 general election.

Mr Lenihan died from the illness later that year.