Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 16 May 2018

Public Accounts Committee

Management of Legal Costs and Policy on Open Disclosure (Resumed)
Implications of CervicalCheck Revelations (Resumed)
2016 Financial Statements of the State Claims Agency (Resumed)
2016 Financial Statements of the HSE (Resumed)

5:00 pm

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

I would like to thank Vicky, Stephen and Cian for attending. I think Vicky and Stephen have shown great courage in giving their testimony. It is very much appreciated. As other speakers have said, I think it is going to be of huge service to other women, and will ensure that we do get the truth. Over the course of this discussion we have got very valuable information that will help us in questioning the other individuals who will be coming before us. I wish to raise two things very briefly. First, anyone with a basic knowledge of statistics would know what a false negative is. However, the chances of an individual getting a slide wrong twice, in two separate tests, are non-existent. That is what really worries me here; the incompetence. As you said, were they looked at at all?

The second thing concerns the State Claims Agency. Its representatives said that they were very vociferous, although maybe I am quoting them incorrectly, in their fight against non-disclosure agreements. Is that a sense that you got from your interaction with them?

Finally, everyone is very proud of you both. I know from watching her interviews that your family has been incredible. Your television appearance on Saturday night was an incredibly brave and courageous interview. Most importantly, I hope that from all this and from your treatment your get a good sense of hope. It is very important to have hope for the future, and I hope that you progress well.

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