On 20 November, it will be World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Pancreatic cancer is one of these devastating diseases. In Ireland, 600 people every year are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and, sadly, 500 people pass away within the year. Five in six people pass away within the year of the diagnosis. It is a devastating disease and I would like to highlight efforts to try to improve patient outcomes and conditions for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Those efforts are led by the co-founder of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, Niall Rochford, who, as we speak, is walking from Cork to Cong, County Mayo, to raise vital funds for the charity he co-founded in memory of his late wife, Stella, who passed away in 2022. I use this opportunity to highlight Mr. Rochford's work in the charity and the incredible personal journey he is on. I am hosting Pancreatic Cancer Ireland in the audiovisual room at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 20 November and I encourage all Members of the House to come along to see how we can collectively support the charity. The issue needs a lot more attention. Outcomes can be improved. Let us be leaders as a country in improving those outcomes in what is a devastating disease.

In my last few seconds, I also acknowledge David Newcombe from Ballina who has set up a new organisation called Awaken Ireland, which is attempting to empower young people to get involved, interested and engaged in politics because they are our future. I compliment Mr. Newcombe on the work he has done leading on this and I hope it gets plenty of engagement and gets the next generation of young people interested in politics.