Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On HPV testing, I asked the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, to carry out a health technology assessment on this and it came back recommending HPV testing. I decided in February that we would move ahead with the introduction of that later this year. I have asked that that be accelerated. It is a big body of work. It will also provide the opportunity for the reconfiguration of the laboratories that we are using in Ireland. I have said on a number of occasions that this is nothing to do with safety or quality assurance. Instinctively, I would like to be able to use Irish laboratories and develop our own services here, should that be possible. I have asked officials to examine that.

Following on from the recent issues relating to the disclosure of the results of the CervicalCheck clinical audit, I have established the scoping inquiry being led by Dr. Gabriel Scally. He will review all aspects of CervicalCheck and examine the other screening programmes operated by the National Screening Service, particularly relating to quality assurance, clinical audit, open disclosure and governance. The Deputy's point is well-made. Screening has saved lives in this country, whether BreastCheck, BowelScreen or CervicalCheck. We know that it has saved lives. It is also important that we continue to see if there are areas in which we can do better and if we can learn from other countries. While we have somebody doing an external review of CervicalCheck, it seems sensible to me to ask that they would also look at the other screening programmes and examine them, particularly with regard to quality assurance, open disclosure and governance.

As the Deputy will also be aware, I have engaged on a cross-party basis about the terms of reference for this inquiry. It is fair to say that they are comprehensive and reflect the issues raised by all parties in this House. I gave the written submissions that were given to me by the Opposition to Dr. Scally and asked that not only does he act on the terms of reference, but considers all of this. The inquiry is expected to issue its first report at the beginning of next month and its final report by the end. A website has been established, scallyreview.ie, which provides a public-facing presence for the inquiry and will enable it to communicate progress with all interested parties.

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