David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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We should not pass the buck on any organisation. The responsibility for ensuring prompt payments were made, in my view, rests with the Department.

I wish to ask about issues relating to the State Claims Agency. The Minister mentioned that a note on future claims would be sent to us in due course. He also mentioned CervicalCheck and patient safety. Earlier today, the Minister and I had a telephone conversation on the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill and amendments coming up tomorrow, which, I have to say, I am extremely disappointed with. I have a concern about those amendments. I do not believe they do what they should do. I have a real concern about what that means for women who will be tested for cervical cancer. In my view open disclosure, duty of candour, is what it is and should be what it is. If there is a discordant CervicalCheck slide in any lab, the woman should be informed irrespective of whether she asks. Duty of candour does not mean that a woman must ask. When an error is identified, it must be given. We will debate that more extensively tomorrow. What will be in the briefing note on future claims through the State Claims Agency the Minister is going to send us. What information is being compiled? I am not clear about that.