James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

However, given that the report on the deaths in the north east, which we had been promised would be published in July and was then held over until September, was released on the same day, no such excuse can be used. I am given to understand that report was available more than a month ago and was in the hands of several people but held back. I believe this represents cynical manipulation of the news.

The Minister mentioned the Health Information and Quality Authority. Its board considered the cost benefit analysis of the programme and recommended that the Minister institute it. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee also recommended the introduction of this vaccine programme. These are two organisations that are concerned with the public good and public health. I cannot understand why she has now chosen to ignore their advice.

I wish to put on the Dáil record the figures quoted by HIQA. It believes it would be possible to avert 2,244 cases of CIN1 based on the figures for cases that occurred in 2004. In the case of CIN2 and CIN3 — these are all pre-cancerous lesions — it would be possible to avert 1,435 of those. Of the 200 cases of cervical cancer in 2004, it estimates that 111 of these cases could be prevented. Of the 93 deaths that occurred in 2004 from this disease it would be possible to avert 52. These are stark figures. For the sake of €10 million are we going to expose our children of today and our women and mothers of tomorrow to the dangers of death, pain and suffering as well as the heartache to their families?

The Minister has talked about putting the patient first and not affecting front-line services. This is a crossroads for us. In response to parliamentary questions, Deputy Ring was able to ascertain that the Government is spending €10 million on press secretaries, press officers and constituency staff.

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