Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome our two new Senators, one of whom was previously a Member of the Oireachtas. I wish them the very best in their work in the Seanad and it is great to have them among us.

I join Senator Ardagh in reflecting on the issue of the day, namely, the scandal around cervical cancer checks. I express my admiration and respect for Ms Vicky Phelan and her family.

Listening to the incoming head of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on the radio this morning, I did not feel confidence. Instead, I felt there was a tension and a guardedness which was regrettable. I do not feel confident that the higher echelons of our health service have been dealing with matters as they ought. I believe there is a long way to go with learnings. Senator Ardagh just referenced the issue of disclosure. Why were there non-disclosures with regard to settlements with the State? Why was there non-disclosure by senior medics to patients of information which was relevant to their situations?

It is common case that nothing we say should ever discourage women going for a smear test or, indeed, people going for any kind of cancer screening. That goes without saying, yet it always has to be said. Whatever criticisms or hard findings there may be to make, whatever hard statements are made or whatever consequences there are for people high up in the health service, people must know it is always in their interests to go for screening and, in this case, smear tests. People are entitled to ask why certain decisions were made. They are also entitled to ask whether HIQA is capable of delivering the answers. The uncomfortable question at the heart of all this is if it was about money. Despite people being in a position to know and warn about farming out certain services to the United States, was a financial consideration in mind? What do we think about that, if that was the case? If it is the case that the decision was made to use services abroad instead of services here, has that run down our ability as a country in the near term to provide a higher quality service?

There is too much at stake for people to speculate wildly about the facts. We can only ask questions at this point but ask them we must. I hope there will be no hedging but a straightforward frankness, respectful of people's dignity. If the answers have implications for people in high places, so be it.