Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Like others, I welcome today's apology and the acknowledgement of the hurt and, in some cases, devastation suffered by women and their families as a result of the CervicalCheck crisis. This is not a happy day; it is a solemn and sad day for those in the Visitors Gallery. I know that recognition for the wrongs done and an apology for them are important landmarks for those so directly affected. However, it cannot be the be-all and end-all. An apology must name what went wrong. For an apology to be true, it must give an assurance that it will not happen again.

We have previously heard in this Chamber very encouraging words issued to women and their families, not least when the Taoiseach replied to me during Leaders' Questions to say none of the women would need to enter a courtroom to get justice. It was an error to give that assurance because the State was not the sole party involved. We need to reflect on these things when they happen in order that those errors will not be repeated in other circumstances. The court cases took place within months of those promises being made and people wondered what was happening.

Members of the 221+ group constantly contacted me to say it was like pulling teeth in trying to get answers and a satisfactory outcome. They had been promised that an ex gratiapayment and package with some healthcare benefits would be forthcoming by Christmas 2018, yet it was May 2019 before they even received forms to complete. They were very upset and hurt about being presented with forms to complete. There was no doubt about who they were and that they had been impacted on. It is an issue of trust. No indications were given as to how long it would take or how much women could expect to receive. It was not a question of looking at a big payout. They were concerned about spending money they did not have on diagnostics. That was the key issue.

In September 2018 a woman was contacted about a test audit. She was told that the process would take six months to complete. In July 2019, ten months after she had started the process, she was informed that she could expect to receive a communication one month in advance of the results, but she heard no more until last month, 12 months after she had commenced the process, when she rang to request her results. As of last week, she had still heard nothing. She phoned again last Friday only to be told that somebody would contact her on Monday but nobody did. When she contacted them again today, she was told that it would be another four to six weeks. In all, it will have taken 15 months - 15 months of worry.

An apology is really important. I want not to diminish but acknowledge it. However, unless it changes how the women are still being treated, there is a question mark over it.

I pay tribute to Dr. Scally who gave priority to the victims. He wanted to give them a loud voice and get to the truth. We all acknowledge that he has done very good work. He has spoken about the obstacles he encountered, especially in gaining access to senior officials in the Department of Health and the HSE. That was subsequently rectified, but it should not have happened. He outlined how much of their time had been used in attending and preparing for various Oireachtas committee meetings. We all need to reflect on how we conducted ourselves in dealing with this debacle. We need to ask if we impeded or helped. This acknowledgement must consider these things.

There would be no apology today without Vicky Phelan. Members of the 221+ group, many of whom are in the Visitors Gallery, would have been suffering in silence and would not know each other had it not been for Vicky Phelan who had the courage to bring this issue into the public domain. While she was a very ill woman, she had the courage to say she would not sign a non-disclosure agreement, understanding what that meant. Others then realised they were not suffering alone and the bigger scandal was brought into full view.

I particularly remember Emma Mhic Mhathúna who went to primary school with my children. I remember her as a child. She left this world worrying whether her children would remember her. I hope they will hear today's apology for her.

For those who were so badly affected by this, the very least they should be sure about is that when they are giving their imprimatur, it means what it should mean, that is, it is as safe as it possibly can be. Some have encouraged other women to have screening tests because they are incredibly important. That has to be the legacy of this.

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