Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for this constructive approach.

It is much appreciated and I acknowledge this, as others have. I again appeal to the Minister to at least keep an open mind on a programmatic audit. He does not need to convince anyone here on the learning, educational value or the need for metadata. We could have a much more progressive and nuanced approached to this in which the need to use the data speaks to a consent issue for patients and women, which can be catered for but, critically, there must be an element of choice. There are people who do not wish to know should an error be discovered, and that is fine. An opt-out clause could be included. As a person who uses the CervicalCheck service, I would want to know and I would not like the idea that I would be prevented from the opportunity of knowing because the system is anonymised. I know the legislation is silent on this issue but collectively we need to do a bit of work on that too. As Deputy Kelly said, and this has been my experience, there is unease on this issue to say the very least. We are grateful for a meeting of minds on the need to have a positive legal obligation in terms of the patient-triggered review.

It is important the amendment on this is brought forward and we do not believe the Seanad is the right forum for that. We have proposed this matter be adjourned. We know the Minister cannot tell us now across the floor, but we ask that he establish with his officials how long it will take for the relevant amendment to be tabled. It would then be the job of this House, in the first instance, to get this matter dealt with. Even though we are talking about January, I would hope we are not talking about dragging this on unnecessarily. We have made good progress this evening and there is more work to be done, but we are not in favour of passing this up. The Dáil needs to get it right.

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