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

I accept the point that Deputy Connolly has made about the role of the Committee of Public Accounts but there are questions about some of the information given earlier on the length of time people are waiting for their slides. Mr. McCallion has given us information. I was contacted by somebody earlier in the week who gave me contrary information. I read in the Daily Mirrortoday that a solicitor who deals with some of these cases says that the State is wearing down victims. I have had three separate women on to me today. They have given me their names. They are part of the group 221+ and are telling me exactly the same thing as the information I got earlier in the week. One says that at least 50 women have been waiting since May for their slides. That contrasts starkly with the information Mr. McCallion has given the committee today. Not only does this information contrast starkly with Mr. McCallion's, but what it says is the case. There is absolutely no point in this State making apologies if it does not deal with the issue and if it adds to the stress of people who are in this situation, which is not of their own making. I need an answer today, at least in respect of those 50 women who have been waiting since May. They would have had absolutely no reason to contact me unless this had been their experience.