Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The Minister has stated the vaccine, Gardasil, would protect approximately 70% of patients from cervical cancer and that the other 30% could be protected by a national cervical cancer screening programme. When added together, those figures show that under the Government 100% of women are not being protected because a national screening programme in not in place and the vaccine, Gardasil, is not to be made available to women with medical cards. A pilot scheme for cervical cancer screening has been in operation for six years but, on the other hand, the Minister is referring the vital question with regard to Gardasil to be considered by another committee. This weekend there will be a big row about whether the anthem "God Save the Queen" should be sung in Croke Park but at least the Brits have had a cervical cancer screening programme in place for the past 40 years, while we are talking about something that the Minister is considering doing or is referring to a committee to be discussed. It is becoming a national joke that we have not yet sorted out a national cervical cancer screening programme. A pilot scheme is ridiculous in a sense.

Patients are waiting significant lengths of time. Current expenditure on a screening programme that is not working is approximately €10 million to €12 million. For the same sum of money we could have a proper programme. The Minister should show a clear commitment and move forward. A national cervical cancer screening programme needs to be undertaken urgently. The vaccine, Gardasil, could then be added to the programme for those women most at risk. There has been screening for cervical cancer for 40 years and it can be organised logistically. It amazes me that the Minister has failed to implement the programme. I am also amazed at her replies. In so far as cervical cancer screening is concerned, a total of 100% of Irish women are being let down by the Government because of its failure to take this issue seriously.

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