Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for making that statement and for advising Members of it in advance. It is very appropriate. This is not the first time we have been here, but I acknowledge the fact that it absolutely needed to be done today. I offer my solidarity and that of my party to Damien and Patricia for what has happened to them and their family. They should never have gone through this. All Deputies know that. We must learn from these events, but I worry that we are not learning from them. My good friend, Vicky Phelan, announced a couple of days ago that her cancer is back. I have known about that for a considerable period of time. We owe it to her, Stephen Teap from the Taoiseach's county, Lorraine Walsh, Emma Mhic Mhathúna and everyone else affected by this issue that we do our best for the women of Ireland. Later today, I will raise with the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, the issue of the CervicalCheck tribunal. It needs to be sorted out in the coming days. It is through that action that we can honour the apologies that have been made in this House. I send my solidarity to Trish and Damien and their children.

See this speech in context