Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

It was done to speed up the process on an emergency basis because generally one is required to go to tender. Two issues are involved relating to capacity and quality. We all accept BreastCheck is a quality assured programme. It must be ensured cervical screening is quality assured and, therefore, that the laboratories are accredited and meet the standard required, which has not been the case in many instances to date. The HSE has appointed a group to examine laboratory capacity and I am not sure when it is due to report. However, whether domestic laboratories will be available or we have to continue to outsource, that will be done. Staff must be recruited for the new programme. It takes a long time from agreeing the policy to writing to women to come forward for smear tests but that will happen later this year.

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