Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I want to discuss the point I pursued with the witnesses previously regarding the slides. They separated two elements, telling us that the medical files were one matter, while the slides were another. I have examined the contracts with Quest Diagnostics and MedLab Pathology. They are similar, if not identical. Under the heading of "Storage and Disaster Recovery" on page 12, the contractor shall at the request of the national screening service forward eligible samples stored by the contractor or on the contractor's behalf to the national screening service or any third party specified by the service in a manner prescribed by it within three working days. It seems clear from this that the national screening service is in control and ownership of the slides. Why is there any question of a delay when the contract is clear about the contractors' obligations and the service's rights?

On radio in the past half hour, the solicitor for Vicky Phelan stated the HSE was holding up the protocol to agree to the release of slides and that, until this occurred, they could not be reviewed by clinical cytologists. Is the HSE holding it up and, if so, why?

Someone made reference to an apology, but an apology is hollow if it is not followed through with actions that will give it meaning. We are being given the runaround on some of our questions. The contract is clear, but we are not being given clear answers about the protocol. If it is being held up, any claim about dealing sincerely with people who may have been harmed by the State is hollow. Will the witnesses answer my question on the protocol?