Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018
207. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the undertaking that the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal would not be brought through the courts and that the State would enter into mediation; the number of offers of mediation that have been made; the number that have agreed to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28361/18]
View answerThe SCA, in collaboration with the relevant laboratories in the individual cases, is committed to resolving these cases in line with the principles outlined by the Government, expediting resolution of the cases in a sensitive manner, utilising mediation wherever possible and placing a high priority on treating the people who have made the claims, and their families, with dignity and compassion.
Subject to the express wishes of any particular claimant to choose otherwise, the SCA is committed to ensuring that the cases are resolved through mediation rather than through the Courts. In that regard, the SCA will offer mediation in all of the cases. Currently, mediation has been offered in four cases where the cases are being case-managed by the High Court. In one of the cases where mediation was offered, the claimant declined mediation and a settlement of that case was arrived at by means of lawyer to lawyer negotiations.
