Speaking at the meeting, leading Pathologist Professor Eoin Gaffney called for greater public awareness of biobanking and its role in the fight against Cancer. "It is a long-term investment, which is why we must start developing the network without delay" said Prof Gaffney.

Prof Eoin Gaffney told cancer patients, members of the public and cancer organisations that an Irish hospital biobank network needs to be established in order to assist cancer researchers and help save lives.

Biobanking involves storage for research of surplus cancer tissue removed during cancer operations, which would otherwise be discarded. Leading molecular pathologists and oncologists believe that research on frozen tissue samples could hold key information in the fight against cancer.

The meeting, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Claire Byrne dealt with the related issues of patient consent, respect for privacy and dedicated personnel.

Prof Gaffney who is a Consultant at St James Hospital and a co-founder of Biobank Ireland said "he hoped members of public many of whom had been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, found the meeting engaging. I also hope the discussion which took place will help inform the Department of Health's Expert Group which was established by Minister Mary Harney to examine the development of an all-Ireland cancer biobank."

"I see people coming into St James's Hospital every day with very advanced cancer. We have to get more awareness about how research can help in the long-term fight against cancer." said Professor Gaffney.

The Meeting was also addressed by International expert Prof Geraldine Thomas, Director, Wales Cancer Bank, and formerly of the Chernobyl Tissue Bank and Prof John O'Leary, Professor of Pathology, Trinity College Dublin.

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