Mr. Pat Naughton:

It is hard for us to define what private industry and US companies do. As medical scientists in Ireland, we have a professional body which can stand over what we do. All of the standards are in place and we can relate them directly to the committee. In Ireland this sensitive test is carried out by medical scientists who are highly qualified having spent up to five years in college. Some of them have Masters degrees and then go on to specialise in this area. They are not just cytoscreeners which they do not like to be called. They are highly qualified medical scientists who have specialised in this area. We know exactly who does the tests here and we can stand over what we do. However, it is hard for us to comment on what somebody else does. Fortunately, there is a centre in the Coombe hospital that does this important test. In 2008 the decision to lose the ability and autonomy of a nation to carry out its own testing for its people was short-sighted and led to this meeting. That must be borne in mind. If there is commitment to change this, there has to be a full and proper commitment.