Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the Sunday IndependentI saw the Minister stress the point that the entirety of this scandal concerned people who had already been diagnosed with cancer. That has been the entire focus of our discussion. However, it prompts my thinking about the many women who have had cervical checks and are wondering whether there is information which, because of a lack of test accuracy or human error, all of which will be explored and investigated, has not been made available to them. Is there a cohort of women who have cancer that is as yet undiagnosed but on whom there is information available?

Does Mr. O'Brien know how many of the almost 12,000 women who have called the helpline belong to that cohort? Perhaps I misunderstand the focus of the helpline. What percentage of callers are in the zone which we have been discussing, that of people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and what percentage are just worried? It was stated here this morning that women who have had normal test results can continue to participate in the cervical screening programme according to their normal schedule. There is talk of providing information without them having to call the CervicalCheck information line. That prompts the question as to whether such people are being hived off to the side somewhat or extra resources are being put in place to deal with what must be a very understandable concern among that cohort of people.