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Harkin challenges BreastCheck boss
31.10.08
MARIAN Harkin MEP has
challenged the BreastCheck chief to explain why the
service has not yet reached the North West nearly
four years after it was promised.
Ms Harkin called on Tony O'Brien to explain why
BreastCheck, promised for 2005, might still not be
in place by the end of 2009.
“Mr. O’Brien’s statement to a Dáil committee that
decisions to extend BreastCheck are dictated by
operational considerations alone, begs the question
as to what this means, since in December 2005, he
indicated that staff recruitment had commenced in
November 2005," said Ms Harkin.
She outlined Mr O'Brien's statement to the Dáil
committee which stated: “BreastCheck will not
compromise on its quality remit to satisfy any
political or public demand for the introduction of
the service”. |
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The Independent MEP
described this statement as "both arrogant and
misleading".
“I resent Mr O’Brien’s suggestion that politicians,
such as myself, should not continue to press for a
service which according to a statement by him in
December of 2005, had 'the required level of
financial resources and the necessary Department of
Health approvals'," said Ms Harkin.
“What right has Mr O’Brien to challenge the duty of
politicians to question why women in the North West
continue to be |
discriminated against
in this vital health issue for them, considering his
failure to deliver on a commitment given to
politicians and the public that BreastCheck would be
delivered in 2007?" she asked.
She said Mr O'Brien's statement to the Dáil
committee was "misleading", having regard to his
previous statements.
She said the delay in the rollout of BreastCheck to
the North West was "worrying" given its importance
to the lives of women. |
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