“Ineptitude and zero accountability are the key reasons for women being failed by Cervical Check” – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, Meath West TD, has attributed the Minister for Health’s failing of Irish women to ineptitude and zero accountability. Teachta Tóibín responded to the news that 434 Irish women’s smear test samples were allowed to expire before being tested.
Teachta Tóibín stated:
“The Department of Health, the HSE and ultimately the Minister for Health have illustrated yet again that Irish women’s health continues to be neglected and put at the back of the queue. The CervicalCancer scandal has been characterised by continuous spin and circling the wagons. The women affected have been put in last place by the Minister for Health, his department and the HSE, acting to protect themselves.
“That 434 smear test samples were allowed to expire before being tested tells us a lot about the weight that the Department of Health and HSE place on our people’s health, and women’s health in particular. It is clear that a combination of ineptitude and zero accountability are leading reasons for why women concerned have now been ‘invited’ to attend another smear test. Fianna Fáil, along with the Independents in government, are party to protecting the Minister’s position. The Minister for Health could be held to account if Fianna Fáil decided to cease acting as a mudguard for Fine Gael.
“This scandal first emerged over a year ago. It is astounding that the Minister for Health is still insisting that Irish women’s smear test samples be sent to a lab in the United States. We need to have a health system that is as self-sufficient as it can be. We know that part of the reason for women being failed has been the involvement of US laboratories. It is time to ensure that our health system is not kept vulnerable through an over-reliance on private firms in other countries.”
