Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the question of 4,500 cases, it can unfortunately be the case that, through human error, an issue such as this can arise. It is to be regretted and responsibility for it must be taken by the company concerned. The review of 4,500 cases and more than 6,000 X-rays is a precautionary measure in line with best practice based on the advice received by the HSE from people in this area. The total review of the locum's work was necessary.

It is important to ensure that people's anxieties are dealt with as quickly and professionally as possible. It will take approximately eight weeks before the last of the X-rays and CAT scans are reviewed and confirmed as being in order based on the previous understanding of the situation. It is important that, where errors occurred under the locum, matters such as the one that arose in 2006 and 2007 be dealt with and that the precautionary principle be applied. That 6,000 X-rays are being examined is not to suggest that the same level of danger applies in each case. Rather, a precautionary principle is being applied in 4,500 cases. It is important we recognise this and allow the HSE to conduct its work as quickly and professionally as possible in a way that seeks to minimise people's anxieties.

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