Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, the consultation process will include engagement with the Department of Health's suppliers, patient groups and other stakeholders. I firmly believe the group about which the Deputy is speaking must be part of it also. What happened should not have happened which, as a woman, I can perfectly understand. I have family members and friends who had a breast removed. It is a very difficult time for everybody. What we want to do is make sure everybody receives a decent service at a time when they are very seriously ill. What happened in the last couple of weeks should not have happened. and I cannot relate to the Deputy on a basis such as this why it happened. However, when I spoke to the Minister about it, as others did, action was taken rapidly to put things right aside, as the Deputy said. The consultation process will have to involve all those patients who are suffering, as well as stakeholders. Only then will those who, unfortunately, will end up being so ill that they will have to have a breast removed believe the service available meets their needs. That has to be the case for medical card holders and for others also. I will relay a very strong message to the Minister because it is something that cuts to the core of every person in the country, not just women but also family members, including husbands and partners. What happened was shocking and should never have happened.

See this speech in context