Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy noted, BreastCheck is currently working on an open disclosure policy, to be introduced next year. BreastCheck advised that the NHS breast screening programme introduced open disclosure on a formal basis in the spring of last year. We are learning lessons from that. I believe England is the only country in the world providing open disclosure at that level on the back of all its systems linked to screening. I am open to correction on that but it is my understanding.

BreastCheck will be examined as part of the Scally inquiry, which is expected to report by the end of next month. As we have said, BreastCheck indicated yesterday that it has received 15 solicitors' letters in the past fortnight and is concerned about the impact of legal action on the future of the programme. Let us not forget, however, that a breast cancer diagnosis is the most common cancer diagnosis for women in Ireland. Therefore, the screening programme is very valuable and needs to be protected. If necessary, we need to continue to improve it as we learn lessons.

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