I stand here today as a cancer survivor. A year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had to have a tumor removed. Then I had to wait a space of time so that I could get chemotherapy, which went on for over six months. I know that it will be years before I can say I am free from cancer. I know that and I am not counting my chickens. However, I want to send out a thank-you to all the doctors, nurses and staff, who are so professional and caring. The work they do is just unbelievable. I met patients in the hospital while I was getting chemotherapy. I was struck by the humanity when I was going through the treatment. For some people, treatment delayed can be a death sentence. I had stage 3B, which is right on the edge. I was not scared but my wife Michelle, and my daughters Aoife and Orlaith, my sisters, my dad and my extended family, they always feel it. For anyone with cancer, their family feel it more than them. That is why this is such an important motion that Deputy Cullinane has brought here today. It a really important piece of work because everyone deserves to have the opportunity to live as long as they can and to spend as much time as they can with their family. This is just a simple thing: in CUH last year, €3 million was collected from parking fees. A lot of that is from families of patients going to see them. I remember a lady who had skin cancer and she could not get a medical card. There should be no barriers to health. I just want to say to people who are going through the journey, I know it can be scary but have hope. We have some of the greatest doctors and nurses, if we had enough of them. My final point is this. I had Irish doctors and nurses along with doctors from Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, Africa and all over the world. I remember lying in bed in the middle of the night and the people would be coming in with smiles on their faces and it did not matter what colour their skin was or where they were from. The treatment was brilliant; it is just that we need more of it.

Sentiment score: -0.03

Go raibh maith agat.

Sentiment score: 0.00