Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to challenge that statement for several reasons. We have a circular from CervicalCheck, saying to doctors that in instances where the woman is still alive they should use their judgement, and that in instances where the woman is deceased it should be noted on the file. We also have a letter from Dr. Hickey, Vicky Phelan's consultant, to CervicalCheck, addressed to Dr. Gráinne Flannelly. It stated that on further reviewing the letter CervicalCheck sent down to Dr. Hickey with respect to an audit of the cervical smears on cancer patients, CervicalCheck highlighted just three it felt should be considered for recall on discussion. Dr. Hickey wrote there were a number of others that looked as though there were significant discrepancies, and he was somewhat uncomfortable about just recalling the three that CervicalCheck had highlighted. Dr. Hickey had ten patients. This was active correspondence from a consultant saying this matter was affecting ten of his patients. Doctors have been told to use their discretion, but clearly Dr. Hickey was being told by CervicalCheck that only three of the ten needed to be told. Given that information, and given what was in the circular, does Mr. Gleeson stand over the statement that there was never a decision not to disclose? If so, how does he stand over it?