Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

On ten separate occasions, we were on to the HSE about the review. Last Wednesday during Question Time, although no oral question was going to arise on Portlaoise Hospital, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan tabled a question about the appointment of Professor Keane. I assumed the Deputy would ask a supplementary question, which she did, and I wanted the latest information.

I was informed nine cancers had been diagnosed — seven originally and then two more — and all women had been seen, the last one on Wednesday morning. In good faith I gave this information to the House. When my officials were on to the HSE, they were informed about the ultrasound review. They did not know what this meant and neither did I. All Wednesday evening I sought to get information from the HSE. I had my deputy medical officer and the Secretary General involved but we were not in a position to give any information last Wednesday. The first time I heard that Dr. Naughton had commissioned a report in respect of approximately 567 ultrasounds was last Wednesday evening.

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