Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I congratulate both new Senators to the House, Senator Marshall from the North and Senator Lawlor, who moves from the Lower House to the Upper House. I wish them very well and every good success in their time here. They both have a lot to offer and great contributions to make.

On the issue of the smear tests scandal, I wish to raise the manner in which women have been treated by our health services. People go to the health service to seek support, compassion, help and reassurance. Unfortunately, none of that has been provided. Women in Ireland cannot feel reassured by recent events and nor, indeed, can men. The most recent scandal and the highlighting of it over the weekend has brought into stark light the fact that the State has to drag people screaming to the courts where they seek vindication.Any reading of the State Claims Agency, which is the insurance group for the State, shows that follows through. Between 2010 and 2014, the State Claims Agency's costs amounted to €289 million. Some €177 million of that was awarded to the victims, but over €100 million went to the legal profession. There is a real issue here that the State needs to address. I agree with Senator Craughwell that this is not done with the intention of seeking ministerial retribution. We are talking about senior Civil Servants who must be held to account.