On this morning it is appropriate we bear in mind the absolutely stunning victory of Senator Barack Obama in his bid to become the 44th President of the United States. I am sure the House would want to send good wishes to him on the monumental task he is undertaking and the responsibility he is being given by the American people.

I contrast the wave of euphoria which has washed across the United States and many parts of the world with the pessimism and cynicism that exists here. An event in this country yesterday epitomised that point exactly. Two reports were published, referred to by both Deputies Reilly and O'Dowd, which dealt with cancer services in the north east and the abolition of a programme for cervical cancer vaccination for girls between ten and 12 years old. It reminds me of the incident in Britain a number of years ago when a famous remark was made that "it was a good day to bury bad news".

The cervical cancer vaccination programme was to cost less than €10 million and was announced in August by the Minister for Health and Children. She stated it was clearly now a priority to move on to vaccination for young girls, with the clear intent of preventing death because 80 people may die from cervical cancer every year. As Deputy Reilly pointed out, the amount of money involved is tiny and in the context of the long-term saving of lives, the Government's action is short-sighted.

When was the report for the north east received? What was the role of the Minister for Health and Children and her officials in announcing this abolition of the cervical vaccination programme yesterday? Why is there an intention to have pay increases of approximately €263 million next year when front line services like this, which are so important for young girls, are being cut? Why was yesterday chosen as the day to make the announcement when the HSE and the Minister for Health and Children knew — or perhaps expected — that people might not notice it?

In the context of the very small amount of money involved and lives which could be saved, as pointed out by Deputy Reilly, does the Taoiseach agree that allowing for pay increases and bonuses for managers of quite an extensive nature epitomises the fact that, in desperation, the Government will chop a service providing health and safety measures for all those young girls, some of whom will contract cervical cancer in future years?

I join with Deputy Kenny in wishing Senator Obama well in the transition which must take place before he takes office in the new year as President of the United States. We look forward to maintaining a good relationship with the incoming Administration, as we have had with the outgoing one.

I do not agree with Deputy Kenny on his perception of cynicism and pessimism. If that is a trait he wishes to pursue, it is a matter for him. It is a matter for us to continue to deal with a position that is as challenging for us as it is for other countries and to do so based on our belief and capacity to come through this period and return to growth as soon as possible.

With regard to the specific issues mentioned by the Deputy, the Minister informed the Government yesterday about the north east radiology report. The nine patients who had a delayed diagnosis were identified and diagnosed prior to March 2008 and no further cases of delayed diagnoses were identified during this look-back review. The HSE has recognised the need to respond in a timely fashion when serious concerns relating to misdiagnosis arise. Protocols and guidance were not in place around the thresholds and methodology for reviews of this nature when concerns were first raised about delayed diagnosis. The HSE also faced logistical difficulties, including the sourcing of sufficient radiologists to carry out a review of almost 6,000 X-rays and CT scans.

As a result of the issues and delays which arose in commencing this review, a process of engagement with the faculty of radiology of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland was initiated in June this year. Protocols to provide guidance around dealing with reports of error in radiology are currently being developed between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the HSE. The process will be completed before the end of this year and will provide clarity and confidence in decision-making around reviews of this nature in future. The HSE has also formally engaged with the forum of postgraduate training bodies to set up a rapid response mechanism for incidents of this kind.

With regard to the vaccine issue, the continuation and expansion of the cancer control programme under Professor Tom Keane remains a priority and funding of €15 million has been made available for this purpose. At present, the national cervical screening programme, CervicalCheck, is being rolled out with a full-year cost of €35 million. The programme will provide free smear tests through primary care settings to the 1.1 million women living in Ireland aged between 25 and 60 years. A successful national programme has the potential to cut mortality rates from cervical cancer by up to 80%, and we will proceed along that line.

That is the HSE response as quoted in all the newspapers recently. The vaccination programme was intended for ten and 12 year old girls. Moreover, the HIQA report that was given to the Minister for Health and Children also stated there should be a catch-up phase for 13 to 15 year olds. Both measures have been scrapped although in August, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, stated "it is clear the main priority now is to move to the introduction of the vaccination programme for 12 year old girls to commence in September 2009".

I refer to the Taoiseach's statement yesterday to the effect he must make adjustments, between tax increases and cuts, in the order of €5,000 million, to bring the economy back into shape by 2010. In this case, he is aware the figures produced show there would be a saving of €2.7 million, because of disease avoided, on an annual basis over time. Nevertheless, this vital vaccination programme now is gone.

More than seven years have passed since the issues of the north east first were brought to the Government's attention. I will provide the Taoiseach with an example that demonstrates both how dysfunctional is the HSE, which is the creation of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the reason the Government is unable to make savings in this area. I have to hand a letter from an employee of the HSE who, in an act of patriotism as called for by the Minister for Finance, instructed his bosses to reduce his salary by 5%. The HSE's response to him was that his request was unusual. It went on to state, "I would be grateful if you would assist my understanding of your request before I consider appropriate actions". This was the response of the HSE to an employee who asked it to reduce his salary, as an act of patriotism, by 5% for 2009.

Typical.

However, the same HSE will award itself bonuses for managers. Although a €263 million pay increase has been awarded across the service, a lousy €10 million for vaccination for young girls between the age of ten and 12 has been shafted by the Minister for Health and Children. Moreover, the announcement was made on the day of the American presidential election when, in an act of despicable cynicism, it was expected that people would take no notice of it. The Taoiseach should respond to this issue and should give me his response regarding what the HSE wrote to its employee. Can the Taoiseach imagine anything as nonsensical as the HSE replying to its own employee in such a manner? Does the Taoiseach have a view in this regard?

He would have received a better response had he sought an increase.

Of course I have a view on this. Were Deputy Kenny to send me a copy of the letter, I will follow it up. Clearly, if clarification is being sought on a person wishing——

This happens every day.

If a person——

Let him finish.

Is the HSE not writing to the Taoiseach?

Obviously, I have not received that correspondence. However, were I to receive it, I am sure I could follow it up. I presume Deputy Kenny also followed it up.

Sack him.

The point is that health is one of the areas in which the Government has increased expenditure. The same public service pay pause, which, as matters stand has been negotiated with the social partners until 1 October next year, applies to the health service as to other services. It is important to point out that even with these savings and the efforts to economise that are necessary to restore order to the public finances, next year we still will borrow on a day to day basis €4.7 billion more than we will earn.

Moreover, as for the suggestion I have read to the effect that we are cutting €5 billion in expenditure next year, it is important to note we have indicated in our three year programme our intention to move back to budgetary balance as soon as possible and to work through that process. Consequently, that particular figure is wrong. The only issue I have with the Fine Gael Party in respect of bringing the public finances into order is that although it believes there should be another €2 billion in cuts, it has not agreed to any cuts thus far or on the €2 billion it wishes to implement.

That is nonsense and the Taoiseach knows it.

The Taoiseach should show some responsibility.

Glaoim ar cheannaire Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre, an Teachta Eamon Gilmore.

The Taoiseach's value system is a disgrace. His political philosophy is to maintain administration while depriving people of immunisation.