The state failed women by outsourcing Cervical Screening. This was a collective cabinet decision, at the time, which turned out to be fatal.
We only had the budget a few weeks ago and it was very disappointing to see that no specific funding was allocated to the Cervical Check programme. We need to see additional funding to ensure that it can change and to implement the recommendations that have been made.
We cannot let anymore women down and we need to assure women that our screening process is safe and reliable and that it is fit for purpose.
Only for the bravery, courage and determination of Vicky Phelan speaking out we may never have known the extent of this scandal and we thank her for this.
The best thing we can do now in memory of Emma Mhic Mhathúna, Irene Teap and all the women affected by the Cervical Check Scandal is to fix the system.
