Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My experience, unfortunately, is that cock ups are more common than conspiracies and incompetence more common than collusion. Nonetheless, we need to restore confidence in cancer screening in Ireland and in CervicalCheck. As a result of this, there will be a statutory inquiry. We are inviting the spokespeople to meet this evening following the committee hearing this afternoon to discuss what form that inquiry will take. The inquiry will be able to establish whether the allegations Deputy McDonald makes are true, as is the purpose of any inquiry. One needs to have an inquiry before one can make findings of fact, in my opinion and, I hope, in the opinion of most people in this House.

The clinical director of CervicalCheck has already stepped down and the director, the official that runs CervicalCheck, is no longer in charge. Damien McCallion has replaced him. This means we already have individual accountability, at least, on two accounts.

Mr. O'Brien's term as director general of the HSE ends in 12 week's time and we are in the process of finding a replacement. We have also indicated that we will re-establish a board for the HSE to enhance accountability.

I am aware that this is an enormously difficult issue and that people are very worried about it, but we need to make sure we do not lose sight of a wider truth. Cancer care in Ireland has improved dramatically in recent years. We have better diagnoses, better treatment and better prevention. Screening does work. The incidence of cervical cancer has gone down from 14 per 100,000 in 2011 to ten per 100,000, a very significant reduction. It is about 7% per year of the number of cases of cervical cancer. Because of CervicalCheck, women are going for smear tests and screening and some 50,000 abnormalities have been identified. That is 50,000 women for whom we have been able to prevent cervical cancer or ensure they received earlier treatment and had a better outcome. It is 50,000 women whose lives, potentially, have been saved and whose treatment was instituted earlier because of CervicalCheck. We should not forget that figure. It is 50,000 women who have benefited from the programme. The biggest travesty of all would be if women were to stop going for smear tests. It is important that we get that message out to the general public.

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