Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date cervical screening will become available nationally; the reason this was not made available by the end of 2007 as she promised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2642/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have already answered a similar question. There is no point in reading out the same answer. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 4.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I will have a look at that.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Does Deputy Reilly want to ask a supplementary question?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I would not mind if the Leas-Cheann Comhairle would not mind. The failure of the Minister to give us a proper date that she will commit to is disturbing. I hope she will find herself able to deliver on this within the next number of weeks. Despite her extensive answer earlier, she did give a commitment that the programme would be launched in January.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The National Cancer Screening Service Board, which has responsibility for this issue, will be subsumed under Professor Tom Keane as soon as possible because it makes sense to have both screening and treatment under the control of one person. The board was not in a position to go to tender for laboratory services or to sign contracts with general practitioners to provide screening until it found out what resources it would have. We did not know what resources it would have until the budget. A total of €15 million was allocated to the board on top of the €5 million allocated last year. On this basis it is now proceeding, as Deputy Reilly will have heard from his colleagues, with discussions on a proposed 12-month contract. It has also sought expressions of interest from suppliers of laboratory facilities. I am always terrified of giving dates, although I am happy to say——

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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That is not a word I would ever associate with the Minister.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I do not give dates unless I really believe that is what will happen and I have been given specific information.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Deputy Reilly was referring to the word "terrified".

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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All I can say is that it will be the middle of the year, which means May to July, so some time around June. I will be extraordinarily surprised and disappointed if that timeframe is not met, if that is helpful to the Deputy. I am sure he will be quick to remind me if it is not met.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I will do my best.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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We have been told by Mr. Tony O'Brien that accredited laboratories will carry out the testing. Is the Minister satisfied that adequate laboratory facilities will be available and will they be in Ireland or outside the country?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Based on my last discussions with Mr. O'Brien, I understand that it will be 50:50 because the accredited facilities in Ireland do not have the capacity to provide a ten working day turnaround.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Then it will be done in accredited laboratories.