Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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This evening we are resuming our discussion on matters related to State claims, management of legal costs, policy on open disclosure and the implications of the CervicalCheck revelations. We are joined by Ms Vicky Phelan, one of the women directly affected by the crisis along with her solicitor, Mr. Cian O'Carroll. We are also joined by Mr. Stephen Teap, the husband of Irene Teap who has sadly passed away from cervical cancer. Thank you for agreeing to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts this evening.

The committee has already met officials from the Department of Health, the HSE and the State Claims Agency on the matter and we will resume that side of our discussions tomorrow. For now, we want to hear from the people directly affected by this crisis. It will be key in terms of making changes to the system used by the HSE to learn from those who have had direct experience of the system. That is why their evidence to the Committee of Public Accounts is important. We want to ensure that the women and families who have been directly impacted - they are very much representative of that group - are treated appropriately especially in respect of access to their information.

We also, of course, want the cancer screening service to continue and for the population to use it. Notwithstanding the failures that have been highlighted and which have caused such public anger, it is a valuable part of our public health system. We welcome the changes that are coming in which will make screening a more accurate exercise.

Ms Phelan and Mr. Teap are here today specifically to help the members of the committee deal with the whole question of open disclosure. That matter has been discussed by the HSE and the State Claims Agency at this committee on several previous occasions. We know there is a policy position in change. We have heard from the relevant officials from those institutions in the past and no doubt we will hear from them again. However, the job of the Committee of Public Accounts is to hear all sides of the story as to how that operates in practice. Your attendance here today will help us verify what we are hearing from the State institutions on the matter. That is why your evidence today will be beneficial in bringing about improvements that are ultimately required to be implemented - by legislation if necessary - as soon as possible.

We are in your hands, Vicky and Stephen. We are here to hear your story. We are here substantially in listening mode. We will have some questions afterwards by way of clarification if you are happy to take them. We are here to listen respectfully to you. As everyone knows, we public representatives do a lot of talking, but listening is often a far more important aspect of our job.

I will start with you, Vicky. You might tell us your story in your own words.