Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

After 29 August, when I was informed of a review to be carried out by Dr. Ann O'Doherty. She reviewed clinical evidence of 3,027 mammograms. Up to 2,000 of those women also had an ultrasound but she was reviewing the mammograms. As the House knows, she completed her review and submitted it to the HSE last Friday. The HSE has sought legal advice on the matter.

Dr. Ann O'Doherty was not reviewing professionals but clinically reviewing mammograms. She found nine cancers from the mammograms reviewed. As Mr. Hill said yesterday, she and her team did in a couple of weeks what would normally take a couple of years. I compliment her on this.

I have not seen her report. Deputy Reilly has contacted my office on this but I am not entitled to see the report. It must be cleared by lawyers before it proceeds. There are large issues with reports of that kind. Her job was a clinical review of the mammograms. As a result, nine patients were diagnosed with cancer.

On 7 November, I apologised in the House when we had a full debate and I answered questions for one hour. Last week, I answered questions on the same matter in the Seanad.

On ten different occasions, the Department of Health and Children, on my behalf, were on to the HSE about Dr. O'Doherty's review.

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