Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the very end of my slot on Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach confirmed that repeat cervical tests would happen and that the Minister for Health informed him about this some weeks ago. Can the Taoiseach indicate how many women will have to have tests repeated? Could he indicate when the women concerned will be contacted by the Department and CervicalCheck? One should bear in mind that the programme covers 230,000 annually and that there are to be 90,000 to 100,000 extra because of the Minister's decision. There is no extra capacity and there are no extra resources. I understand quite a significant number of tests are null and void because of the delay. The backlog is resulting in a delay of six months. The programme is in crisis mode. I asked the Taoiseach a number of questions. They call for an up-front, comprehensive statement from the Minister for Health. In the public interest, he owes it to this House to appear before it to make a comprehensive statement on this issue. I ask the Taoiseach to allow for this.

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