Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Whoever will be Minister for Health come tomorrow, can he or she be brought to the House as a matter of urgency to debate the extension of the free cervical cancer screening programme to college students on their entrance to third level? As it stands, free screening is only available to the over-25s. There seems to be a quasi and lackadaisical approach to this matter. I dealt with a young lady recently who is under 25 and who, unfortunately, was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She had to go to great lengths to get a screening because she was refused one at several junctures. In Britain, free cervical cancer screening is available to students when they enter college. As every Member knows, prevention is better than cure and can also be cheaper than treatment. I hope the Minister will look on this in a favourable light.

For some time I have been looking for the Coroners Bill to be brought before the House. The last time I queried its status, it was No. 7 on the Order Paper but now is at No. 13. Will the Leader give some indication as to when we can expect this Bill?