Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to come in on that particular piece, and what she has raised is very important. When particular campaigns are being run and women have the opportunity to participate, there should be no barriers, especially when it comes to transport. We know accommodation issues such as access to primary care need to be addressed, particularly where a lady cannot access a particular service for whatever reason. I believe we have learned from Covid-19. We have inreach models and outreach models, so nothing should prevent the opportunity for that person to be supported, especially when it comes to screening. There should be, however, when it comes to all health issues, inreach and outreach options and transport available, which is one matter raised by the Deputy. Transport should not be the sole reason for being able to access it. It is very important that if a person feels there are barriers, he or she should identify those barriers and communicate them, after which we need to address them from a community public health point of view, because that is what it is all about.

Again, I thank the Deputy for raising this in the week that is in it. I pay particular testament to Ms Laura Brennan and her family. I acknowledge again the work the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, has done along with Senator Conway on this issue for the families who have lost loved ones. The Deputy raised many issues that I, as a female, believe strongly need to be addressed in a timely fashion. It should not be adversarial by any manner or means. There should be open disclosure and that legislation should come before us. At the same time, we have the best trained people in the country and we should look at having our own screening in-house and on our own soil.

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