Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a significant waiting time of 27 weeks. What is the gold standard waiting time for screening in terms of a slide being analysed? How does that slide pathologically deteriorate in this time? There is widespread concern on this and perhaps the witnesses can give some certainty on this.

Mr. Breslin said we should not get into politics, and he is right, but can he confirm whether it was a political or professional decision to offer that? One of the concerns I have is that there is a general concern about screening. The Minister said as much last week. Looking at the inverse care law, the cohort which may, because of their circumstances, be the most likely to have a difficulty may be the least likely to take the free test. Looking beyond the reassurance and the strategy that was in place, has there been a look back on previous smears and the risk that may have been attached to a particular person's clinical characteristics? Do they need to be notified about future tests? Someone who may not have taken up the opportunity of having a free test may in fact be the person who requires it based on her own clinical background. I know that is a complex piece of work. Perhaps Dr. Scally is examining it, or perhaps there is no necessity to do it.

Has a risk profile been developed to determine what is an urgent smear and what is not? Are certain smears being prioritised over others within the 27-week wait time?

This may have been asked already - I was at the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality all morning - and I apologise if it has been, but when will the human papilloma virus, HPV, vaccine be extended out-----