Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Given that we would not be having this debate if it was not for the Portlaoise inquiry, the Minister will forgive me if I narrow my questioning to that issue. Will she outline the terms of reference of the inquiry? It was announced in September as a look back at the work of one person but has since become an inquiry.

Having regard to the fact that we now know more than one person is involved, the question of machinery is all the more important. Given that the mammography work was done by one person, a case can be made for examining other work undertaken in terms of X-rays and scans not involving mammograms. In view of the manner in which this unfortunate news is becoming public, there is a compelling case for making the inquiry independent. As with the issue which arose for the Department of Transport last week, it is not satisfactory for the HSE to be involved at the inquiry stage. I ask the Minister to accept that the issue is much wider than the work of one consultant during a certain period. We need to consider all the questions raised this afternoon.

In regard to the people who must leave the midlands for treatment in other areas, I ask that they be provided with medical cards. Capacity problems in St. Vincent's Hospital which have already arisen this week must be addressed in the period between now and the establishment of the new service rather than some stage in the future.

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