The Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Ms Harney, said yesterday she has "a lot of sympathy" with those who believe the south-east should have radiotherapy facilities for cancer patients. Eithne Donnellan reports.
Her comments came following an hour-long meeting with the National Cancer Care Alliance, which has been campaigning for better cancer services across the State.
In particular it has highlighted the plight of patients who have to travel to Dublin from Waterford and the north-west for radiotherapy treatment.
Asked if the group had legitimate concerns, Ms Harney said that she belived they had.
"You can't have radiotherapy facilities everywhere. Safety, practice, experience demands that you have to do this on a network basis, but certainly I have a lot of sympathy with those that believe that Waterford, the south-east, should have radiotherapy facilities."