Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Every week a new priority is identified. Last week it was Crumlin and the previous week it was orthodontics. Everything has to be an exception or involve additional moneys.

This is an important issue. The home kits will cost approximately €4.5 million but they is not the biggest element of the programme's cost. Between 75% and 80% of colonoscopies are performed within one month in respect of urgent cases. Professor Drumm has established a group to make that a reality for all cases. Challenges arise in two hospitals, Tallaght and Letterkenny. The group appointed by the professor will report directly to him on the issue. The two year waiting list to which the Deputy referred was for repeat colonoscopies rather than urgent referrals. We are making significant improvements and when I receive the report from HIQA at the end of September I will be in a position to make a decision.

See this speech in context