Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the helpline, I want to read out a post that went up today on social media, but there are many throughout the country. The writer states that as a young woman she is second guessing the accuracy of her results as, she assumes, are most women at this point. Regarding the HSE number, which is the 1,800 number, she states the line is impossible to get through to and those lucky enough to make contact with somebody have had their details taken and been dismissed quickly only to be told they will get a callback. There is an awful lot of anger, but she states it is fair to say there is real fear, and it would appear the steps that have been put in place do not adequately service the demand and fear that is out there. I ask, as a matter of urgency, what is being done to make sure there is an adequate patient and public support response to this.