Professor John Kennedy

And we don't know why that is, but we think it may well be related to lifestyle changes, perhaps with diet.

And they may have been lifestyle changes that began 30 or 40 years ago.

And we're starting to see the effects now.

So there's a lot to be teased out there.

What we are eating.

Well, it's got to be high on the list of possible causes.

So we're talking about radiation therapy, which is a very, very important core part of treatment for patients with cancer.

We have a very old cohort of machines in the public service in Ireland for radiation and they need to be replaced.

And some of them are more than 15 years old.

And, you know, it's a real problem because it's not simple to get these machines in place.

They're very expensive.

There's a huge program of work around getting them in.

And you have to continue to provide a radiation service at the same time.

I think it's a problem that has been allowed to develop, unfortunately.

And I think it points to a bigger problem, which is a lack of...

Nimble planning for replacement of important equipment, very expensive equipment, which is very important that it be up to date and not, you know, breaking down, etc.

And the same is true for capital projects.

I mean, within the system that we operate, it seems to me that replacement of machinery, replacement of equipment, building of facilities takes an enormous length of time.

And I think that's something that needs to be looked at.

Well, the National Cancer Strategy, which I was involved with 10 years ago, did say that there needed to be a rolling plan for replacement of radiation therapy machines.