James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Twenty days have passed since Vicky Phelan walked out of a court room and told us her story. During this 20-day period of uncertainty for women, we have been confused by the mixed messages from the HSE and the Government. No words of comfort can be offered to the women or families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal. The names of Vicky Phelan, Emma Mhic Mhathúna, Stephen Teap and Catherine Reck will stay ingrained on all of our minds for a long time. Since the Government became aware of Vicky Phelan's case on 16 April last, there has been an absence of political leadership. The memorandums that were revealed at last week's meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts constitute another example of how we have been drip-fed information over recent weeks. It appears that the Minister and the Government were caught unaware by this revelation. This reflects poorly on the leadership and management of the Government. The memorandums reveal a policy of managing risk by means of containment and concealment. The needs of women and their families were simply not prioritised or recognised. We must remember that this scandal was brought to light by Vicky Phelan, who was forced to take her case to the High Court. If she had not had the bravery to tell her story, we might never have known about this scandal. The interviews of members of other families caught up in this awful scandal have rightly captured the hearts of Irish people. It is understandable that people are angry. We need to see leadership and accountability. Just as importantly, we need to see empathy. We need to be assured that the Government understands what has happened here. The Government - first and foremost - is meant to protect people. It has failed in this basic requirement. It has failed these women. The least that can be done to ensure this does not occur again is to provide for mandatory open disclosure.

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