Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While the Deputy said I was in a unique position to know certain things and while I accept that, as Minister, I have access to officials, advisers and the Chief Medical Officer, no one, including the Deputy or me, could have known the degree of public unease that would develop in this situation last year, the length of time for which it would go on or the number of women who would take up the offer of a free repeat smear test. I do not know how the Deputy views it, but certainly the numbers would have been almost impossible to estimate. What was very clear, however, was the need to provide the tests. The Deputy and I do not differ on this issue. I welcome the opportunity to state in the House that I did not act against official advice. Such cheap political charges which the Deputy did not make only added to the unease. I met the 221+ group of women and their partners who had been through cervical cancer and relatives of people who had died. They get very annoyed when we start to play petty party politics by putting half-truths in the public domain. I know the Deputy agrees.

I have asked about triage which I think is what the Deputy is referring to. He is asking whether, if we know that there is a greater risk, we can ensure those subject to it will be seen sooner. I have been assured that work has been done on this issue. I will be attending the Joint Committee on Health tomorrow and will answer questions about CervicalCheck in the House tomorrow. I might provide the Deputy with a definitive answer on this issue in our next exchange in 24 hours' time.

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