Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to one of the points the Deputy put to me, which, of course, is prompted by the tragedy that we are all aware of this morning, about what our obligations are to mind our citizens. In the midst of all of us responding in the way we are attempting to, we need to be aware that while we are looking at great private tragedy and anguish today, the programmes that have been in place have worked for many. This is why there is such an imperative on all of us, but particularly those of us in government, that we ensure we restore confidence in respect of the issues and tragedies that are now causing these programmes to be challenged. As a country, as a State, for all of us who have been in the Dáil, for anyone who has served in government, we have seen improved outcomes in respect of invasive cancers because of the long-term commitment that politicians in this House, of all parties and none, have to trying to help our citizens. Only a number of months ago, the Minister for Health published a national cancer strategy that was welcomed by the Dáil. We have seen improvements in the survival rates and treatments of so many different forms of cancer.

This backdrop, however, is what makes the stories we heard this morning so much more acute and more tragic. Inside the figures which I gave the Deputy, we all are aware that this morning, we have heard from a family and from Emma, who may not be part of that. That is what we all seek to respond to.

The Government has sought to respond in a prompt fashion. Deputy Kelly asked a specific question on random sampling that I had not answered in my first response to him. We have brought in two international institutions to put in place the review of audits which we know is vital. We want the review to conclude as quickly as possible. I will put Deputy Kelly's specific point to the bodies that are undertaking that work. We will see if it is possible and either myself or the Minister, Deputy Harris, will respond to the Deputy.

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