As we have just had Daffodil Day, I feel we must mention the Irish Cancer Society here. Every one of us knows somebody who has battled cancer, and with one in two people in Ireland affected, this cause sadly touches us all. The Irish Cancer Society provides significant support for cancer patients and their families in County Louth, with services witnessing higher demand throughout 2025. With only 5% of annual funds needed each year coming through State funding, it is vital that we support this organisation where we can. In Louth we have many other phenomenal groups also supporting cancer patients and their families. We have the Gary Kelly support centre, Cara Cancer Support Centre and the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust, all of which are vital and all of which have to constantly fundraise to keep the lights on and the doors open. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda is a major centre for cancer care in the north east. It is clear that despite the tireless and fantastic work done by the front-line staff day in and day out the length and breadth of this country, this Government is failing them and the cancer patients they treat when it comes to accessing treatment. People in Drogheda have to wait longer for access to chemotherapy than people in most other places in the country. Out of 25 hospitals providing chemotherapy, Drogheda ranks 16th, with 17% of people not getting their chemo within the target timeframe of 15 working days. That is 67 people who faced serious delays in Drogheda for chemo in 2025. Around the country hundreds are left waiting as hospitals miss their targets to start chemo, and it is just unacceptable. Behind all these figures are hundreds of people who are sick with worry, facing delay after delay, trying to cope with the fear that their cancer is progressing while they wait. The staff in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and the patients behind all these statistics deserve better. We ask the Government to do its job, support this Private Members' business and action everything in it. The very fact that all of this has to be spelled out to the Government is utterly shameful.

Sentiment score: -0.22