I hear on the grapevine that the numbering system will not continue next week. That is welcome. Allied to and part of the disgraceful health scandal that is the smear test debacle is the failure to supply information on current health status. The Taoiseach said an immediate priority was the fast-tracking of the health information and patient safety Bill to address this issue. While those who are impacted on by the smear test scandal must be our immediate focus, it is equally important to ensure anyone with a health diagnosis will be provided with full information in an open and honest manner. Members of this House, as well as the general public, want to know the timeframe involved in addressing this anomaly in order that people will be provided with the facts. Any open disclosure system should be mandatory. We also need a patients' charter which will include a requirement that information be provided for patients.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He is correct that one of the most tangible things this Oireachtas could do is pass legislation to provide for mandatory open disclosure in the health service of serious, reportable incidents. I will go to the Cabinet on Tuesday for permission to draft such legislation.

I have separated it from the broader Bill to which the Deputy referred in order that we can prioritise it and get it through quickly. I will be happy to work with him in that regard.