Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-26
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Catherine Callaghan (FG), Carlow-Kilkenny

I want to be associated with the expression of sympathy to Deputy Roche and his family.
My proposal to introduce a publicly available blood test for detecting multiple cancers at once is scientifically sound, economically sensible and morally necessary. Every delay in adopting this technology represents a missed opportunity to detect cancers early, to treat them more effectively and to save lives. As the Tánaiste has outlined, we have the strategy, the structures and the investment almost ready. I am looking forward to working alongside the Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to see this genetic testing progressed in the next strategy.
I urge the Government to commit to the nationwide roll-out of NGS in the HSE to ensure every patient, no matter where they live, benefits from the most advanced cancer diagnostics available. Patients in Carlow and Kilkenny deserve nothing less than the best that modern medicine can offer. The blood test will help us deliver exactly this. Today my thoughts are with a friend of mine in Thomastown, without whom I know for certain I would not be standing in this Chamber. As long as I am in this Chamber representing the great people of Carlow and Kilkenny, I will fight for better cancer care outcomes for those people. I look forward to working with the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-26