James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Minister's answer ignores the issue raised in the letter, namely, that the radiology service was a shambles. If she can honestly describe the manner in which that letter and the issues it raised were dealt with as the best way to do so, it is not terribly reassuring to this House and the people who must use the health service.

Can the Minister confirm that this letter was brought to her personal attention? Did she read it? Based on information from the HSE, I understand that the letter was passed to the network manager and on to the hospital manager who interviewed the consultant concerned and ascertained that no unnecessary operations had taken place, which was the end of the matter. An offer to have mammograms double read in hospitals elsewhere from December 2006 was then made.

During statements to the House on 7 November 2007, the Minister said the current review covers concerns raised by medical and nursing staff within the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise and that action was taken on foot of this in August 2007. When the Taoiseach was asked when the Government first became aware of this problem, he answered that it was in August 2007. The Minister did not see fit to correct him and tell him that the letter had come to her in 2005.

It seems that action was taken only 18 months after Mr. Peter Naughton wrote to the Minister. It does not even address the concerns that he raised. I want to ask the Minister a number of questions.

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