VICTIMS OF CERVICAL CANCER SCANDAL LET DOWN YET AGAIN

THIS is supposed to be the communications age in which everything is possible, everything perhaps, except simplicity. There was a time when a mistake might be learned from; an apology and recompense could be regarded as reasonable.

But even in the most painful circumstances, basic levels of decency or humanity seem beyond the Government. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar could promise dying women that they would not have to go before the courts to seek restitution. Well, they did. Simon Harris could promise there would be an inquiry into the cervical smear-check scandal. Yesterday, he was back-pedalling after a suggestion by Dr Gabriel Scally that such a commission may not be necessary. The delivery of this emotional bombshell was just another hurt casually visited on sick women. They only learned of it through a media leak. And now, Mr Harris is perturbed, the Taoiseach “disgusted”. Their feelings couldn’t be less relevant in the context of the suffering of those in this trauma. Remember, it was failure to give women vital information that was at the centre of this tragedy from the get-go.

Protecting the sensitivities of survivors was always paramount, yet even at this hour the State could not be trusted to do that. With all due respect to Dr Scally, his role was to look at what a commission might consider.

He did not have, nor ever could have, a final say. And to be fair to him, he has merely suggested that a commission may not be required. The Oireachtas will make the final decision, but the Government has no choice but to honour its commitment. A commission with the requisite powers to illicit information and compel witnesses is vital.

But more pertinently it was what Mr Harris had pledged to provide. Mr Varadkar was correct to say that this was not a normal story. “This is a very sensitive issue and one that affects some women who are very ill and a lot of families who are grieving and is something that I am appalled to find out has happened.” Whether Mr Varadkar is appalled or not is of no consequence. As Taoiseach, both he and Mr Harris have obligations. If they cannot explain why these women were once more let down then they are failing.

Delegating your accountabilities is tantamount to abdication. Too many deadlines have been missed, and too many hastily made commitments have been worthless. It is time to show intent to these women, not empty gestures. Time to do what is required to show you can be trusted. Labour TD Alan Kelly said he was “shocked” at the leaks. He said it was “the worst example I have seen of a government trying to control the message by getting something like this out there”. But this is not just a problem of communication. As Bill Clinton noted: “The Titanic had an iceberg problem. It did not have a communications problem.” Delays and difficulties have dogged every effort these women have made to get help from our State. The Government appears to have a problem being humane.

Difficulties have dogged every effort these women have made to get help from the State