Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The entire nation is united in mourning at the very sad passing of Vicky Phelan. The women of Ireland in particular are grieving her death because she was their champion. She was central to uncovering the CervicalCheck failures. Without her courageous decision to go public about what had happened to her, at great personal cost, the likelihood is that none of us would have discovered the serious issues with the screening programme that were subsequently uncovered.

Vicky was a tireless advocate, not just for herself but for everyone who had been failed by the health service. She was not willing to accept the status quoor the condescending paternalism that women too often experience in the health service when she knew that reform was possible. Even though it was really difficult, she persevered with her campaign until the very end, determined that the promised reform would be implemented. The courage she showed throughout her campaigning for more transparency and accountability in the health service while battling a terminal illness was truly awe-inspiring.

Today, my thoughts and the thoughts of all of my colleagues in the Social Democrats are with Vicky’s husband, her children, her extended family, her many friends and her colleagues in the 221+ group. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

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