Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said today his treatment for cancer is proceeding satisfactorily and he intends to continue to carry out his ministerial duties.
Mr Lenihan confirmed in January that a blockage including cancerous material had been identified at the entrance to his pancreas.
Since his treatment began, the Minister has cut back heavily on public engagements. However, he has continued to attend Dáil sittings and has joined Taoiseach Brian Cowen for major Government events.
When Mr Lenihan first publicly talked about his illness, he said he would step down from office if his condition impinged on his ability to carry out his duties. He also said he would not give further updates unless his condition worsened.
“I can assure you there’s no such deterioration,” an upbeat Mr Lenihan said today. “I’m on a robust programme of treatment and it’s proceeding satisfactorily, but I’m not in a position to make a public statement on the prognosis.”
Mr Lenihan told RTÉ's News At One the course of treatment, which he previously said would include aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, has not interfered with his work.
“I can say it has gone well to date and that certainly I’ve been in a position to perform my duties in the last three months since I received the diagnosis and started the treatment,” he said.
“It has not obstructed me in performing my constitutional duties. I’ve attended in the House to the question time on every occasion that has arisen,” he said. “I’ve also participated in parliamentary debates and media discussions about the economy and banking and other subjects and will continue to do so.”