Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Brien. As this may be a prolonged meeting, witnesses and members may take a break after two hours, if they wish. It is very important for the members and witnesses to note that the women at the centre of this controversy should remain our main focus. The setting up of an inquiry that will seek the truth on this issue should concern us. We should concentrate on that and not take political issues into account. The issues that arise this evening relate to trust. There has been a breakdown of trust. There has been a loss of trust in the CervicalCheck programme. There have been a breakdown in and failure of open disclosure. There has been a destruction of confidence in the CervicalCheck programme. That needs to be restored as quickly as possible. Full disclosure might not have affected treatment but it certainly would have altered women's ability to respond to the information. It might have afforded an opportunity to seek redress elsewhere, as Ms Vicky Phelan did. Therefore, non-disclosure had a significant effect. It raises issues regarding governance, accountability and the cultural change required in the HSE and the Department.

I have three questions to start the meeting. The first is for Mr. John Gleeson. How could open disclosure not be part of the CervicalCheck programme? It seems quite difficult to understand. The cervical cancer registry and the CervicalCheck database did not match. How could that possibly be and how could there have been such a breakdown in communication? My third question is for Mr. O'Brien. Is it now possible to say we know all the information in regard to this issue? Have we identified each person who requires a smear case audit but who has not had one thus far? Has the total number of patients been identified? Perhaps these questions could be addressed first.

Members will have ten minutes each for questions and answers. Witnesses are advised to keep their answers as concise as possible, just as I hope members will keep their questions as concise as possible, to allow every member to engage. Perhaps Mr. Gleeson might address the two questions addressed to him.