Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his contribution. It is worth pointing out at the start we are here because of the very brave women who brought this to our attention. I am talking about Vicky Phelan, Emma Mhic Mhathúna, Lynsey Bennett, Irene Teap and all the other women who have put their own horror to one side and spoken and fought so bravely for redress and recognition. They have highlighted the very deep failure of this State to provide healthcare for women. We must recognise those women and the sacrifice they have made for all of the rest of us, in order to ensure the system is corrected and that we invest in women's healthcare. There has been a historic lack of investment in women's healthcare in this country, and the Minister has been working to redress that, along with other many areas.

None of us will ever forget the horror of the CervicalCheck scandal. CervicalCheck impacted on women of every age across every part of the country. It was horrifying when Vicky Phelan's story broke and she was followed by more and more women. There are many women suffering whose names we do not know. They have not spoken publicly because they are suffering and they are dying, and they should not be. Their families are bereft.

I welcome that we are dealing with this Bill. There is obviously a need to extend it. I am aware the Minister has engaged extensively with the 221+ group and am glad to hear the restoration of trust element is contained within the Bill because most women caught up in this absolutely outrageous scandal want the cervical screening programme to continue. It is a good programme. A very early diagnosis is achieved for thousands of women and all of these women have been encouraging others to go ahead. The trust in the system must be restored and the families who unfortunately have been deeply impacted and affected for ever more need to regain trust in the system.

I look forward to hearing the contributions from everybody else in the House. It is such an emotional topic for women. We have all gone for our smears, got our results and trusted what came in the post. To think that might not have been the case for a large swathe of women is absolutely horrifying. There is enough dedication to women's healthcare, particularly here in the Seanad, that we can ensure this Bill is the best it can be, and keep on top of the issue to deliver some justice for the women.