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

I have heard some doctors speak about this issue in the media today. It is important to say the problems related to secondary HPV testing are not solely connected to the increased volume of smear tests. We need to be accurate in considering what has contributed to what problem. There are two separate issues. One is capacity and one is secondary screening, when it has been necessary, in one of the three laboratories. It is important to separate the two issues. There is, of course, an obligation on the Government to be as accurate as it can when explaining what happened and why . The Minister, Deputy Harris, looks forward to doing so.

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