Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Over the past few weeks, we have borne witness to the scale of the absolute crisis in the health service under the Taoiseach's watch and that of the Minister, Deputy Harris. Our nurses and midwives were forced to take to the streets, which would never have happened if the Minister had listened to and taken on board their concerns over the recruitment and retention crisis. General practitioners have protested outside the gates of Leinster House. Hospital waiting lists continue to grow to very high levels and the trolley crisis is one that we are facing day in, day out, and not just during the winter period. The debacle surrounding the national children's hospital rumbles on. It will have a serious effect on capital projects in health and in other areas. Thankfully, we will have an opportunity later today to quiz the Minister for Health on his handling of this because there are very serious questions that still need to be answered. Despite the acquiescence of Fianna Fáil, an apology that was offered yesterday will not cut it. It is not good enough. We in Sinn Féin are very clear that this Minister is out of step and not up to the job.

The issue I want to raise with the Taoiseach today is yet another example of why the Minister, Deputy Harris, needs to go from the Department of Health. As has been mentioned, it emerged this morning that nearly 80,000 smear test results are subject to a delay of up to 27 weeks. This happened as a result of a ministerial decision taken last year to make free screening available in the wake of the CervicalCheck controversy. Women we know are now waiting up to six months for the results. It is undoubtable, unfortunately, that some of those results will indicate cancerous cells. It is appalling and of the utmost concern to women right across the State. It is yet another example of the complete incompetence and chaotic system that we see in the Department of Health and that are evident in the ministerial oversight of that Department.

The Minister announced free screening without any consultation with the laboratories and without carrying out any analysis of whether there was capacity to do what he intended to be carried out. Going ahead without ensuring the laboratories had the means to carry out the tests and to deal with the increased workload guaranteed a major crisis and major problems that we now see emerging.

It was suggested earlier this week in the media, including on RTÉ, that the former director general of the HSE was not made aware of the political decision made by the Minister, Deputy Harris. He also suggested he indicated that the decision should be walked back because it would have unintended consequences. Unfortunately, we see very clearly what those unintended consequences are. Unfortunately, there are 78,000 women waiting up to 27 weeks for their results. The Minister did not consult the laboratories. He made a political decision, which has now had a direct impact on the length of time taken. Is this not another clear example of how the Minister is out of his depth? During the period in question, the Minister pledged to us that the HPV vaccine would be rolled out.

See this speech in context