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

I reiterate the point that the Government acted very swiftly to address what is an appalling issue. We have worked hard with the affected women to get them immediate support and ensure they can have access to professional services to advise them. We have brought in outside experts and not relied on internal experts. We have brought in UK gynaecology services for advice and each person is being treated respectfully.

The State Claims Agency has indicated it will work with those who make claims and seek to facilitate mediation wherever it occurs. Of course, there is another party involved, namely, the testing services. The State Claims Agency represents the State and that has implications. It is very clear that the approach being taken is one of supporting those women and minimising the trauma in pursuing a case if that is what they seek.

The Houses sought an independent outside expert and we did not seek to appoint someone perceived as somebody already within the system. We sought somebody from outside with the necessary expertise. For the Deputy to suggest that this person should have already met a range of individuals-----

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