Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister's bona fides regarding the decision-making on this issue. However, I must question the making of a decision like this without knowing whether we had the resources to meet demand. The Minister is in a unique position which those of us in opposition are not. As for the consequences, I was glad to hear in reply to a previous question that the Minister's chief medical officer supported him 100% and advocated that we do this. We had not heard that before in the House. Specifically I want to know the following. In November I stated at the joint committee that women who were being referred for their triennial smear test or who were being referred for six-monthly or annual checks and needed greater priority could not be distinguished between. Therefore, women have had to wait 24 weeks, whether they were seeking six-monthly smear tests due to significant issues of change or they were presenting for their triennial check. I am not a clinician either, but that certainly creates risk. Mr. McCallion said it to me at the time. I seek an assurance that the lack of capacity to prioritise between the different women referred for checks does not create a risk to their health.

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