Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When CervicalCheck finally acted, it informed the clinicians in 2016. We know that in 13 hospitals and in three out of every four patient cases, the doctors did not relay on the information. That is nothing to do with training and what one understands the purpose of an audit to be. The doctors were told of these serious incidents. They were presumably aware of the HSE's open disclosure policy. Furthermore, even if they are only acting in enlightened self-interest, the Taoiseach in the Dáil yesterday and again today, and the Medical Council representatives before this committee this morning, stated that the level of non-disclosure involved in these cases - I am not talking about any individual clinicians - could lead to a clinician being struck off.

Given it being so contrary to a culture or at least a stated policy of open disclosure and given that it could lead to them being struck off - these are people who have dedicated their lives to saving men and women - why do they choose to put themselves at such risk and act contrary to open disclosure? What is going on?