Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The decision to provide free repeat smear tests was made at a time when women were turning up to their GPs and asking for them. They wanted to know if they would have to pay or wait a number of years. I am not going to suggest an exercise was done to estimate or guesstimate how many women would come forward. I am informed by officials that it would have been almost impossible to do so, in fairness. None of us knew how long the period of concern would run or what capacity would be required. That is the truthful answer. I note that some of the organisations the Deputy referred to in the House tweeted calls or welcomes for these decisions. I am not talking about Members but also about some GPs who said it was the right decision. GPs were looking for this to be provided. It is true that well after the event, as referred to here and in news outlets, a number of people wrote to me to say I should cease the free repeat smear test cycle. When I was officially advised to do so in October, I acted immediately. I wrote to the Director General of the HSE. As the HSE was operating the programme and had booked people in for tests, we agreed we would end this at the end of December.

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