Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for giving a statement on the new revelations about a group of 800 women whose results have been delayed and for giving them reassurance. He stated that these were primarily repeat tests. Is there a small number which were not precautionary repeat tests?

On the amendment, Senator Nash and I are seeking clarification. The Minister stated that he accepts that the scope of the tribunal could be broadened and he intends to return to amend the Bill in the autumn in similar terms to those of the amendment. The amendment would provide some flexibility through the inclusion of the words "or otherwise". The amended subsection would refer to women "whose cytology slides were re-examined as part of the retrospective CervicalCheck cytology clinical audit or otherwise". We are not being prescriptive in the amendment. Rather, we are seeking to be constructive. I thank the Minister for acknowledging the role of Deputy Kelly and the amendments tabled by the Labour Party during the passage of the Bill through the Dáil. It seems odd that the Minister is willing to move in the autumn to include our amendment or an amendment in similar terms but cannot accept it now. I seek clarity on whether I understood him correctly in that regard.