Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I congratulate our two new colleagues, Senators Ian Marshall and Anthony Lawlor. I welcome both to the 25th Seanad. I wish my former colleagues Denis Landy and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh well in their new endeavours.

I would like to mention the CervicalCheck scandal. I commend Vicky Phelan and her family on their bravery in shining a light on this and on following through with their case against the State and the screening company in the High Court. It is no mean feat taking on the State and large companies backed by resources and insurance funds, especially when liability is contested from the outset and up until the very end. Listening to Vicky Phelan on the radio, I was amazed at her strength and composure. She has done the women of Ireland a huge service. For that, I am very thankful. I can only imagine the anger she and her family feel owing to her treatment and the failure of the State, via the CervicalCheck programme, to disclose adequately her test results to her on time. Had it disclosed her results to her when they were available to the programme, her clinical outcome would have been very different.

The cervical cancer screening programme was first implemented in the summer of 2008 by the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government. It was a major step in the provision of health care, particularly women's health care. It is a screening service that has saved hundreds of lives to date. At the time the programme was implemented, there were almost 2,000 people waiting to be screened in the country. We have also learned that the national screening service was responsible for choosing the service providers. At the time, an American provider was awarded the tender. Since then, and as confirmed today by An Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, in the Dáil, Irish and American service providers are now used to provide the screening service. However, Vicky Phelan's case in the High Court and the request of her to sign a non-disclosure clause was, in my opinion and that of the women of Ireland, shameful. What is more shameful is that the State, including the Minister and Department of Health, have adopted a hands-off Bart Simpson-type approach to its knowledge of the court case. The Government, from my understanding, states that the National Claims Agency did not discuss this matter with the Department officials or the Minister, or both. I find this very hard to believe.

Yesterday, the HSE confirmed that 17 women whose test results were viewed as part of an audit of the service have, sadly, died. We have learned that, of the 208 whose results were scrutinised, only 46 were informed about the history of their smear test. This non-disclosure by the State and medics working for the State is unconscionable. Why would their results not be disclosed to them? The Government has breached the trust of the women of Ireland. This mismanagement has justifiably frightened the women of Ireland who have put their trust in the CervicalCheck programme.Confidence in this programme is gone. We need to get to the bottom of all the facts about the CervicalCheck programme, including when exactly the Minister and his officials were aware of this particular and other such cases. We learned today that a memo was produced. Was this the first time the Minister was made aware of this case? Why is there secrecy and a failure to disclose test results on a systemic basis? We need an independent inquiry to be established without delay to get to the bottom of the facts. We also need to ensure all the actors involved in this matter are able to contribute to such an inquiry, even if those actors happen to retire before it is established.

As a woman and a Senator, I urge the women of Ireland to make sure they get their smear tests as it is the best way, along with a cervical vaccine, to prevent cervical cancer. With this controversy under way, I urge women to ensure their tests are up to date and not to delay in getting screened. Cancer screening saves lives. We need to improve these programmes, not abandon them. Will the Minister attend the House to have a debate on this matter?

Today is World Asthma Day. Many of us who suffer from it know there is a heightened alert regarding pollen and hay fever. If someone feels they have the symptoms of asthma, I urge them to attend their GP for a diagnosis. Many people have asthma without knowing it and it can be fatal if unchecked.