Mr. Jim Breslin:

It is linked to what the Deputy discussed with Mr. McCallion. The financial resources were available. The difficulty regarded accessing enough capacity globally to increase the testing to the level required. It is worth noting that the other contribution to the backlog is the increased uptake by people being tested for the first time. The backlog does not result entirely from retests. The significant public response demonstrates an awareness of the importance of cervical cancer and being screened. That formed part of the demand for the programme, albeit in the face of a crisis and controversy none of us wanted. The HSE is struggling to increase capacity to deal with that increased demand.