National Cancer Strategy proposals still don’t add up
Harney misled the public in calculated and callous way
Speaking following the leaking of a HSE document today Green Party Health spokesperson John Gormley TD said: “Mary Harney’s denials in relation to the internal HSE documents, which clearly show that the National Cancer Strategy cannot be delivered, ring very hollow. She has deceived the public in a calculated and callous way.
“When the strategy was published, the Irish Cancer Society expressed its reservations and it’s plain that many in the HSE now know that it amounted to a lot of political spin. Not only can it not be delivered on time but the budget is totally unrealistic. Cancer rates are due to increase by a staggering 90 per cent in the next 15 years.
“This fact alone means that the budget for the strategy will have to be increased significantly if it is to address the serious deficits in the service. It’s time for Mary Harney to come clean on this issue.”