Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I asked the Minister a couple of questions on 22 April last. The answer I received to one question, which was particularly detailed, was incomplete. I have to say, with respect, that the answer the Minister has given me this afternoon is also incomplete. I will persist, however. The Minister claimed in response to Questions Nos. 84 and 85 of 22 April last that the Association of Clinical Biochemists in Ireland was consulted when the Teamwork report was being drawn up. I have the parliamentary replies in question if the Minister wishes to refer to them. The association has assured me that it was not consulted, contrary to what the Minister said. I am aware that the association has also contacted other Deputies. Have the Minister and the HSE examined the danger that this service will become fragmented, for example when the testing that is done in primary and secondary cases is separated? Do they agree it is possible that clinical liaison and input will be weakened under the proposed privatised and centralised model? The Minister did not reply to that important part of the question I asked on that occasion. Will a cost-benefit analysis be carried out on the aspect of this approach that would see many tests being done externally, and possibly overseas? Is any effort being made to establish the real cost of this approach?

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