James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming in. It has been the middle of a busy time but the Minister is right to have been busy and it is proper that he is busy. This is a very serious issue and one in which the Minister has become completely involved in the most proper way.

We would not be having this debate today if it was not for the courage of Ms Vicky Phelan. Many have said that but also I mention her persistence and fearlessness in refusing a gagging order. I want to remark on her generosity too, given the amount of time she has given to this issue and the public, which is precious time for her. I thank her for that. Equally, I repeat what she has said on her plea to women to continue to get their smears. I cannot say that often enough. Many issues have been raised here. The most important issue is that lives are being saved by cervical screening. We may have issues with the upper echelons of management and we certainly have major issues with a decision not to share information with patients which is what CervicalCheck is supposed to be all about, namely, saving the lives of women. Moreover, it is working and as the Minister has pointed out, the incidence of cervical cancer has fallen since 2011. That is to be welcomed. I also mention the importance of the HPV vaccine-----