Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste needs to direct the State Claims Agency to deal with these issues quickly and more sensitively, particularly where negligence has been found. It was found in this case, it has been found in a number of other cases and it will be found in a number of future cases. We will judge the Tánaiste's words over the coming weeks and months. I have drafted a civil liability Bill but I have had no engagement from the Government. Why is this? The tribunal is a waste of time because the 221+ group will not support it.

That is not the answer. If it was the answer, there would not be 200 cases lining up in the High Court as I stand here.

Finally, and more to the point, many women watching that yesterday, and watching Vicky Phelan in the United States at this moment in time, are getting worried. They want to have their smears done but they cannot get appointments. My colleague, Senator Rebecca Moynihan, had to ring around to five GPs to get an appointment. The Well Woman clinics are not taking appointments at the moment. Will the Government, through the HSE, ensure a lessening of this worry and stress and that, on the CervicalCheck website, a list of GPs and clinics that are taking appointments will be put up so the women of Ireland can have some solace that they will be able to get appointments? If they are delayed, we all know the consequences.

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