I was horrified by the "Journal Investigates" report that stated just 12% of cancer patients in Letterkenny University Hospital receive treatment within the recommended 15-day timeframe. Cancer patients in Letterkenny have to wait 50% longer than those in any other hospital in the HSE West and North-West region. This is not just delay; this is life-altering. Research by the British Medical Journal has shown delays or reduced treatment options available to cancer patients cause avoidable death. Letterkenny is floundering. The hospital has been stripped of services over the years and risks being downgraded, particularly if a surgical hub is not established. We cannot allow this to happen. The people of Donegal deserve the same healthcare options as everyone else. I am sure the Taoiseach agrees where you live should not determine where you get treatment. What will he do to end health discrimination being experienced by people in Donegal?

The Minister met with clinicians in Letterkenny recently and there has been significant investment in Letterkenny hospital over the years. There can be challenges. There have been contributions from the Republic in investment in Altnagelvin. Looking at Donegal geographically, particularly Inishowen, the cross-Border services and capacity need to be strengthened to facilitate access. Under earlier cancer strategies, Galway was the main centre for the north west, which is a significant distance. We need to look strategically at concentrating cancer services, which I believe in. That was the prevailing expert view for a long time. I am slightly concerned that there is an erosion of that principle and people are going back to a county hospital approach to cancer treatment, which, in my view, will not give optimal outcomes. That is something we need to examine. The proliferation of private centres militates against the overarching objective of the State, which should be optimal outcomes and top-class centres of excellence with multidisciplinary teams providing treatment and care.