Michael Noonan
Ceist:24 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by the Mid-Western Health Board to establish a radiotherapy service in the region by way of a public private partnership between the board, the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust and the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin; if his attention has also been drawn to the fact that about 1,500 people in the region are diagnosed with cancer each year, to the long waiting lists for patients awaiting radiotherapy services, and that patients in the mid-west, particularly patients with terminal illness who require radiotherapy to ease their pain and suffering must travel to Dublin or Cork for radiotherapy treatment and sometimes spend six weeks away from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6703/03]