It gives me great pleasure to note on page 8 of today's The Irish Times that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will progress the introduction of paid paternity leave. I thank Senator Ivana Bacik for drawing attention to the fact that I had put this matter on the radar by introducing a Bill. Last year the Leader, Senator Maurice Cummins, advised me that the Government would deliver on my Bill.

I draw the attention of the House to the fact that 2,780 women develop breast cancer every year. Although BreastCheck offers free screening to every woman aged 50 to 64 years, women who are aged 65 to 69 years are not being screened. This is a question of broken promises and ageism. The programme for Government included a commitment to extend BreastCheck to the 65 to 69 year old age cohort. According to the HSE's national service plan for 2012, this planned extension was to be completed before the end of that year. I joined a protest outside Leinster House today that called on the Government to implement its promise. Ageism is an unacceptable prejudice in Irish society. Women aged between 55 and 70 years have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than others, yet they are still being denied access to BreastCheck. I am calling for parity of esteem and equal treatment in health services. The Government should prioritise the matter immediately, about which I feel strongly. This is not a truly liberal democracy or even just a democracy until we treat all citizens equally.