Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is an important point. I am open to correction but from my engagements with Dr. Scally and from my reading of any of Dr. Scally's reports, I do not believe that he has suggested that my Department did not co-operate. I have had conversations with my Secretary General from day 1 about the importance of my Department co-operating in full. The Deputy is correct that at the start of his original report, Dr. Scally highlighted difficulties in accessing documents in the HSE, and I intervened to get on top of that. Dr. Scally said to me when I met with him that the CervicalCheck programme is under new management. There is a new clinical director, there is a new lead for the programme in Damien McCallion, who will be familiar to Members. Both have the trust and confidence of the patient representatives and they have my full confidence and by extension I would hope the women of Ireland would also have confidence in them. Deputy Kelly asked about this earlier and he may return to it but there is a HR review ongoing on who knew what or maybe who did not do what in the HSE at the appropriate time. That review was established by John Connaghan, and Paul Reid, as the new director general, has assured me he will see it through.

See this speech in context