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

Let me clarify what I said. I said that the way in which this House responds to scandals like this either adds to the scandal and the sense of uncertainty and fear that many women face or has the opposite effect. In all the decisions it has taken, all the reports for which it has asked and all the recommendations from experts for which it has looked, the Government has always focused on full transparency and trying to reassure women about their healthcare. That is what we are doing here.

My understanding is that when the Minister was informed that there was an issue, he was not given details in respect of numbers or details of who those patients were. He did not have that information and so could not share it. The issue was discussed with the CervicalCheck steering committee which, of course, does include patient representatives and other experts. The Minister asked for a detailed report on this issue so that he would be fully informed. He did not have that and so could not provide it to the House. That is my understanding but the Minister, who is on paternity leave at the moment, is happy to come in and answer all the questions the Deputy would like to ask of him regarding political accountability on these issues as soon as he returns to the House the week after next. This morning, however, let us try to provide some reassurance, on the basis of the medical advice we have, to women who may be concerned today and who may be getting letters in the post next week regarding the repeat smear tests they will be offered.

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