Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----because the letter that issued to her put preconditions on such a meeting and in the spirit of this apology I would like to see that happen.

In the future work of this House, we must make sure we honour the struggle of those who worked to get to the truth and demand reform. We cannot let the programme of change for the planning, delivery and oversight of screening services become yet another area where early publicity is followed by a failure to deliver. This apology by the Government is an important step, but the true measure of it will be seen in the action which is taken today and in the months and years ahead. It will particularly be seen in the judicial system, where the State must follow through on the spirit of this apology in not being adversarial. An adversarial judicial system has become the essential mechanism for the cover-up of scandals of this kind. Never again can that happen.

It is about eight years ago since Ms Vicky Phelan was first diagnosed and it took a long time to get to the High Court and to get the situation revealed. It is about a year since the hearse of Emma Mhic Mhathúna passed by the gates of Leinster House, as part of a premeditated decision by Emma to remind us all of the impact of this scandal, and to remind us of our essential duty and obligation to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. We thank them and all the women involved for their dogged determination in ensuring change and in providing a pathway for the future well-being of women in this country.

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