Dr. Suzanne O'Sullivan:

I thank the Deputy for the question. First, I acknowledge, on my own behalf and on that of my colleagues, the suffering and problems experienced by women who have had complications as a result of mesh procedures and surgery. We sympathise fully with them in the context of their suffering and ongoing problems.

On the translabial scan, I can only speak to our services in Cork. Our machine was bought and during 2021 it was set up in a dedicated space and clinic in November and Dr. Ranee Thakar, a very well-known and world-class urogynaecologist from the UK came over and we scanned nine patients from around the country. Four consultants came from Dublin also attended to learn from this training day and clinical day. The machine is there. We have a dedicated consultant whose appointment is imminent and who will continue with that service. It is important to say that translabial scanning can be helpful but it is by no means the be-all and end-all of assessing patients. Often, it is actually not necessary because we can see clinically, without needing a scanner, where the issue is. If there is a problem, for example, with vaginal mesh erosion into the vagina, we do not always need a translabial scan. I cannot speak to the Dublin services, I am afraid; I can only speak to our own.