Ms Rachel Morrogh:

We have tried to find out that information. We have been using our European networks to get good information but it is a bit patchy. We know that screening has resumed in The Netherlands, though on a priority basis. The Netherlands has colon, breast and cervical cancer screening up and running. Its first case of Covid-19 was diagnosed on 27 February. The invitees for screening are being prioritised on the basis that clients who received their initial invitation before 16 March but had their appointment cancelled have been re-invited and will be followed by clients who should have been invited after that date.

The information from Portugal is not entirely clear.

In the central and southern regions of Portugal, breast screening has resumed since mid-June and bowel and cervical screening has also returned but we do not know on what dates that happened. In Ireland, we have said previously that we want breast and bowel screening to return as soon as possible. If the reason that cancer screening has not returned is because of the capacity issues then this underscores the point that both organisations have been making today, which is that there needs to be real, substantial and sustainable investment in capacity so that we are able to ensure that people get access to health care and cancer services as soon as they need them. That will ensure that we limit the number of excess deaths and give people a really good opportunity to live a healthy and good quality life.