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Fresh hope for Donegal cancer patients 08.10.07

THERE has been a guarded reaction to a pledge by the island's health ministers to build a satellite radiation centre for the people of the North West.
The Republic's Minister for Health, Mary Harney T.D., and her Northern Ireland counterpart Michael McGimpsey made the long-awaited announcement at a meeting in Dundalk on Friday.
Fianna Fail described it as "positive news for the entire North West region".
“It is not known yet where this satellite centre will be based, but two obvious locations would be Letterkenny or Derry," said Senator Brian O'Domhnaill.
“Either of these options would make the experience considerably more comfortable for cancer patients from Donegal and surrounding counties.”
It is understood Mr. McGimpsey told Ms. Harney T.D., that capacity in Belfast could not meet the requirements of patients in the North let alone patients travelling from Donegal.
Donegal Sinn Féin elected representatives take their campaign for a satellite radiation unit for the North West to Leinster House last week. From left, Senator Pearse Doherty, Cllr. Daren Lalor, Cllr. Marie Therese Gallagher, Cllr. Pádraig MacLochlainn, Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, Udarás member, Grainne Mhic Éidigh, Cllr. Tony McDaid and Cllr. PJ Branley. Sinn Féin, who have lobbied vigorously for the satellite centre, said action now needed to follow the verbal commitment.
"We welcome the news that a satellite cancer radiation unit for the North West has at last been discussed on a formal basis by both ministers," said Buncrana-based Cllr. Padraig MacLochlainn.
"However, given the length of time that it has taken to arrive at this point, Sinn Fein will be determined that today's progress is built upon so we will now be 
vigorously pursuing both ministers to firstly give a firm commitment that such a unit will be established in the North West and secondly, a timeframe for when this unit will be up and running so that cancer patients in this region can at last have equality of access to cancer service provision," he added.
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