John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for the presentations. A lot of information was passed over there and I welcome the fact that the waiting time has reduced significantly. For me, the issue was always about communication or the lack thereof. I want to concentrate my ten minutes on two specific issues. One issue relates directly to a constituent of mine, a lady called Claire Healy, who decided, because of the fact that she was a high risk patient, to get a private screening. On foot of the results of same, when she went to the public system she was advised and told she would not be seen as a public patient because her test had been obtained privately. Deputy Donnelly has been in constant contact with Ms Healy and I understand that as of last night, following months of being ignored, she received an email and a communication from the Minister's office to say the issue was resolved and people would have access to the public system whether they were tested privately or publicly. To get that call on a Tuesday night at 10 p.m. prior to the witnesses coming before the committee on Wednesday morning is the most crass attempt at media manipulation I have come across with this particular issue. I want to ask the witnesses a number of questions directly from Claire Healy because she has asked me to do so on her behalf and I am quite happy to do it. The first question is as follows:

In late August, Kerry Colposcopy Unit issued a reply to me stating that they were instructed by Cervical Check to prioritise public test results. Who then made the decision in Cervical Check to exclude every woman who decided to access private testing, in an attempt to alleviate the pressure on an already overburdened system?

The second question is as follows:

Cervical Check decided to prioritise public tests. Do you really feel refusing and ignoring private test results, refusing women, is an acceptable way to address the chronic waiting times in an effort to hide the numbers?

The third question is as follows:

When I was refused my test, I looked for answers at a time of great worry and stress for my young family. I was ignored by your Department. Why was it that I had to go to great lengths and go public in order to get very basic answers? Last night a late e-mail was sent to me from your office and that was the first acknowledgement of the awful situation I find myself in. It took over two months to get a reply from your office? Why are the lines of communication firmly shut?

The fourth question is as follows:

I now find myself in a situation awaiting biopsy results and waiting for further answers. The Colposcopy Unit in Kerry told me that as they are now processing both public and private test results, they are overwhelmed with those waiting for results. I am told I will be waiting for between 4-8 weeks minimum before I discover if I have cervical cancer! What is being done to shorten the waiting lists and provide extra services? When will the Minister start to make changes which puts Women First?

The final question is as follows, "Following all the revelations during the last year, why is there still no helpline, or central communications hub for women with concerns of this kind to ring?"

I have a second series of questions relating to the Sharon case and the IT glitch but I would like the witnesses to answer those first.