Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I believe it is very clear, and everyone in the House accepts, that there have been failures in this situation. It raises issues about the longer-term accountability of the HSE. The Minister has signalled that he will introduce legislative change to change the oversight mechanisms for the HSE. The House will have ample opportunity to discuss how best we do this. The Minister continues to consult and he will endeavour to ensure that the new structures deliver accountability with real cultural and structural change within the HSE to deal with some of the issues that have been unearthed.

With regard to the timing of individual documents and when they will be published, I cannot give the Deputy an answer because I do not have that information. A trawl is being completed of all documents. Any document that is needed will be furnished and there is no attempt to restrict access to any documentation.

Who knew what and why it was not escalated is one of the issues that needs to be assessed. Assessing this aspect and why it happened will be a central role for Dr. Scally. We all recognise that this was a failure. From the perspective of the women who have been affected, it has been appalling that they were kept in the dark on this. We see that and we understand the anguish it has caused. We have to make sure that we can get to the truth of why it happened, if there was responsibility, who was responsible, and how we can ensure it never happens again. We also need to make sure that women who are in any doubt have access to an international clinical audit, which we are now providing. This will be available to women to support them with regard to any tests that should have revealed issues but which failed, and independent clinical experts will be available to assist them.

We are seeking to resolve a massive failure that has occurred. There are immediate issues that must be addressed, which we are doing, and information must be provided to all the necessary parties so it can be done. We also recognise the longer-term issues. The Minister will revert to the House with details of how we ensure better information flow, accountability, culture and structures within the health service.

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