Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The House is discussing the serious issue that has arisen in Portlaoise. Many Deputies received an education when this shocking news became known. Seven women who had been given the all-clear in Portlaoise have now been told that there was a misdiagnosis and that they have breast cancer. These revelations have rocked public confidence in the health system. Women throughout the country who have had mammograms on foot of recommendations from their general practitioners must be questioning the accuracy of the diagnoses they were given. I listened with interest to the statement made by the Minister, who will respond to questions later in this debate. We look forward to the production of the full report by Dr. Ann O'Doherty of St. Vincent's University Hospital. I hope her review will be concluded next week.

The Minister, the Taoiseach and various other representatives of the Government have told us that centres of excellence are needed if we are to solve this problem. I accept that these centres will bring some benefits. I spoke to Professor Niall O'Higgins in 2001, which is six years ago, and the report that was adopted by the Government at that time has not yet been implemented. The Minister said that the centres of excellence will be in place by the end of 2009. Many people question whether it can be done within 14 months, especially when Professor Niall O'Higgins's report has not been implemented since it was published in 2001. How can we make such progress within a short period of time?

Many people are worried about the mammograms they had in the past or might have in the future. Are the existing services adequate? Can we have confidence in the system? We have heard a great deal of information about double readings of mammograms and triple diagnosis. Many Deputies and members of the public understand the various technicalities and nuances in this regard. People will ask questions about the service that is available locally, the service they have availed of in the past and may avail of in the future. Family members will have similar questions. This crisis affects not just the women involved, but also their children, partners, mothers and fathers. The news of cancer in a family member rocks everybody in the family and sets them back. They consider how they will deal with the illness and wonder whether the outcome will be positive. We all hope there will be positive outcomes in these instances.

We are familiar with statistics which indicate that dedicated centres of excellence can and will reduce mortality rates by 20%, which is good. There is a crisis of confidence in the system, however. It will be difficult to instil confidence in people so they believe that the centres of excellence proposed by the Minister, Deputy Harney, and Professor Drumm will guarantee an adequate diagnostic service, as well as treatment if it is needed. That is the challenge being faced by the Minister and it is time for her to face up to it. She develops policy and Professor Drumm implements it. The policy is not working at present, however. We do not have the standards of excellence that are required at present. We are supposed to wait for the Minister's centres of excellence to be established at the end of 2009. I appeal to the Minister to give people confidence in the interim. We need an open and transparent system. We need to know exactly what types of services are on offer throughout the country for those who might have to avail of them.

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