Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Sadly, we have learned that time is not on the side of women impacted by the CervicalCheck scandal but time is something we must give now to those we can give it to. Women have felt betrayed and, let us be honest, we have a storied history with tribunals. To extend this timeframe is the only thing we can do, but we must also look at what is wrong.

The three-member tribunal, which was established in December 2020, has received only five of 221 claims transferred from the courts or lodged, and to have the clock run down at the end of this month would be a travesty. It has been well reported that there were many issues around the setting up of this tribunal and, of course, we have had Covid to contend with. However, there is something wrong when women are choosing the courts over this tribunal. My understanding is that its purpose is to deal with these claims quickly, and the Minister knows how important that is. It is vital that the timeframe is extended and that we try to fix the issues raised. It is, of course, entirely up to these women as to whether they use the tribunal, but for it to be a valuable alternative, it has to be used. We must do all we can to ensure we repair what trust was broken and to make sure it does not happen again.

Here, on the floor of this House, is the place to have a proper debate on making the tribunal better for these women, removing any barriers to them using the system and giving them the time to come forward in some way, now or in the future. We absolutely must listen to the voices of women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal and ensure we do no more damage by pushing a system that is adversarial or that does not put them at the centre of the process. We cannot force them to use a broken system but we could fix what is broken, and if that means a live review, then so be it.

There has not been a balance for far too long and many who have used such processes report not being heard, not feeling believed or being undermined and being treated poorly. These women have fought too much to have to fight the system again so we must do all in our power to get it right this time. The Minister has given a commitment on this and will follow through. He is listening to these women. It is important that we listen to them and do all that we can to recognise what has happened.

See this speech in context