Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for attending. It has been a long week. The national blood spot screening programme was rolled out to identify six rare diseases; the screening cards are also known as Guthrie cards. Unfortunately the cards retained between 1966 and 1984 were destroyed as a result of water contamination.

The Data Protection Commissioner has ruled that the cards for the period 1984 to 2002 must be destroyed. Many people in the medical profession believe such a move would be a retrograde step and that it is a wrong a decision. They believe that vital research material has been scheduled for destruction. The material could be used in the future. The cards have already proved very helpful when used for research projects. Is it necessary to destroy the cards? Is there another way around the problem? I ask that the HSE and the Data Protection Commissioner consider the matter further especially in view of the strong medical lobbying that has taken place. I ask that the decision is reviewed and, if possible, reversed.