Cabinet approves publication of the CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill

The Minister for Health Simon Harris plans to introduce the CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill in the Dáil next week.

Once established the tribunal will hear and determine claims arising from the retrospective CervicalCheck cytology clinical audit and from the Expert Panel Review of Cervical Screening, in particular in respect of the reading of smears. It will be chaired by Ms Justice Mary Irvine, a serving judge of the Superior Courts.

“I am pleased that Government has approved the publication of the Bill and I intend to introduce it in the Dáil at second stage next week, with a view to having the legislation in place before the Summer recess,” said Minister Harris outlining the Government’s planned timetable.

Minister Harris also announced that the Independent Assessment Panel for the CervicalCheck Non-Disclosure Ex Gratia Scheme chaired by Justice Aindrias Ó Caoimh, has determined that €20,000 is the appropriate amount for the ex gratia payment. 

Following this determination, the Department of Health will now make payments to those individuals who have applied, and where the independent panel has already determined that appropriate disclosure did not take place.

According to the Department the panel is progressing its assessments of the remaining applications. The scheme remains open, and those individuals who have not yet applied can still do so.