Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, we have been made aware of the ten cases where legal action is ongoing in respect of the lab in the US. However, my concern is that identifying risks in accounts is very difficult when we cannot see the figures. The problem here is that for the different screening programmes, it is very hard for the reader to assess what is happening or to get a clear picture when we are not given the detail. I think that does need to change in the future.

In terms of all the screening programmes that are under way in the health service, it was very strange to see the Minister for Health being handed information just before coming into the Dáil to state that the National Cancer Registry had not liaised or reconciled with the CervicalCheck register in terms of having cases reviewed. That showed huge concern at that stage. Can Mr. O'Brien tell me if there have there been cross-checks done with the other screening programmes? If there is another screening programme and someone does develop cancer, is there a cross-check done to check that those original tests are being held to the highest accountability and to ensure that they are being carried out correctly?