Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Connaghan for that. There is a fundamental issue here. The lady who brought us to this stage is on national radio, on the most listened-to programme on radio in Ireland, stating that she heard in conversation with Dr. Scally this morning that the HSE is not co-operating fully. That is merely a fact. Everybody in Ireland who was listening heard it. I listened to it after speaking to Ms Phelan.

I accept what Mr. Connaghan is saying. Whatever is going on, it is not working. There is not a hope in hell of Dr. Scally having a comprehensive report by the end of August. I am saying it now - not a hope in hell. We already know it will not be comprehensive because the 3,000 cases will not have been reviewed and that will not tally. That means the report itself will not be comprehensive.

I am sorry but this is deeply unacceptable to the public watching the committee today. I was emotional listening to Ms Emma Mhic Mhathúna on the radio today. I will not get into what was said because Mr. Connaghan would not have had the chance to hear it but the whole country is talking about it.

It is time for a quick period of reflection and change course as regards how information is being provided to Scally and, immediately, although I accept Mr. Connaghan has not had time yet to get rid of this protocol that the HSE is undertaking with this firm. If this protocol exists tomorrow, my confidence in the HSE as an organisation will have collapsed. No legal protocol can be put in place that will take this length of time. These women are entitled to their information. Just, bloody well, give it to them. If they go to the High Court, they will get it anyway because the HSE will be too embarrassed in front of a judge. Will the HSE just give these 80 to 90 women the information they are all looking for? Never mind about protocols, for dignity purposes give it to them. Many of these women do not have the time. Mr. Connaghan should just do that.

My third issue relating to the information provided is that the process for moving the HPV would be in place by October. According to the liaison committee which met, and I spoke to Mr. Teap, that committee was told that it would be at least the first quarter of next year. So which is it? That is a complete contradiction.

I will leave it at those three issues on CervicalCheck. Then I will come back to other matters.