Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Casey. This committee is very anxious to find out exactly what happened regarding the outsourcing and awarding of contracts for cervical screening testing. Having heard the two submissions, three issues arise, one relating to costs, one relating to standards and one relating to outsourcing. The witnesses might address the issue of their view of the HSE's decision to outsource. What were the criteria used? Was it due to the costs involved, was it the volume in that it thought Ireland did not have the capacity, or was it that the laboratories in Ireland did not reach a certain standard? What is the nub of what happened in 2008 when the indigenous laboratories in Ireland were not resourced and developed to deliver the service within the country? Was it related to costs, standards or capacity?