The recent announcement by Minister for Health Ms. Mary Harney that a Cervical Cancer Vaccination Programme is to be introduced in Ireland was warmly welcomed at a major Brussels cervical cancer conference for politicians with health policy responsibilities.

Welcoming delegates to the 4th Cervical Cancer Summit meeting organised by the European Cervical Cancer Association Marian Harkin MEP said that the conference was an important focus on the campaign calling on all National Governments, to implement organised Cervical Cancer Screening Programmes equitably across Europe.

The Irish Governments decision to implement  cervical cancer vaccination alongside a population based organised screening programme was warmly welcomed by Deputy Harkin as a measure which would prevent almost all suffering and loss of life that currently resulted from cervical cancer, she said. 

The Oireachtas was represented at the Cancer Summit by Dr. James O'Reilly TD, Kathleen Lynch TD, and Margaret Conlon TD while papers were given by Tony O'Brien and Sheila Caulfield of the Irish National Cancer Screening Service.

The opening paper at the Cancer Summit was given by Portugal's Minister of Health Dr. Ana Jorge while other participants included Ms. Sandra Elisabeth Roelofs, First Lady of  Republic of Georgia, US Congresswoman Patricia Bellock and Mary Beatty - President Women in Government USA.