Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their attendance and for being so open in the manner in which they have discussed this issue.

Incidentally, I have always been a strong supporter of the BreastCheck programme. I was also my party's spokesman for this area many years ago. If the programme us to be successful, it must be efficient, effective and protect itself. Those involved in the programme cannot leave themselves open to allegations of negligence, in particular. I accept that people will make mistakes. To err is human but to cover it up is a different story. I do not suggest there has been a cover up. I suggest that for the organisation to protect itself it needs to be open about disclosures in the event of a mistake taking place.

I have a few questions for Professor Hill. Let us say a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer after availing of a BreastCheck examination at some time in the previous couple of years. I understand why she will not want to know about anything except treatment. Can she be told at that stage that the failure to detect the cancer in the BreastCheck test was fundamental to her condition? My next query relates to the point made by my colleague earlier. I am not certain as to how such a scenario automatically opens up the litigation gates given that the screening system cannot be 100% accurate.