Despite the contempt the Taoiseach is showing Deputies for raising issues to do with inquiries that are ongoing, I wish to refer to the scoping exercise being conducted by Dr. Scally. Along with all other health spokespersons in the House, I sat down with the Minister, Deputy Harris, four or five weeks ago. We were given a commitment that the scoping exercise would be quick and that it would be completed by the end of June. However, on page 6 of the interim report there are worrying details regarding the lack of information coming from the HSE. On page 9, it is stated that the timescale is, very conveniently, being pushed back until the end of the summer when the House will not be sitting.

There are simple questions to be asked of, and answered by, the HSE. Does the Taoiseach remember Dr. Tony O'Brien? He was asked several times for a list of the clinics from where the 209 misdiagnoses came. He committed to giving us the list, as did the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe.

We cannot have a debate on the matter now.

The clinical laboratory technicians told us that it was a simple answer but the interim report from the inquiry does not contain such an answer. In addition, there will be a delay until the end of the summer. Women are dying while this is happening. I do not think it is fair to the women who are dying from cancer to delay this any further. There must be an investigation into why it is happening. Perhaps the Taoiseach could hire private investigators to monitor people in his Department and in the HSE.

All I said when we set up the inquiry, the terms of reference of which were agreed on an all-party basis, was that we should let it do its work and respect its independence. I do not think that is contemptuous or contemptible.

It is contemptuous of us.

If we set it up, we should allow it to do its work and should respect its independence. The first report of the inquiry, which deals with term of reference (d) regarding information provided to women about screening and the issue of consent, was published earlier today. There is also a progress report in which Dr. Scally updates us and the public on the progress he is making regarding the other parts of his inquiry. He has now asked for an extension and that he be allowed to complete his work by the end of the summer. We should respect his independence and allow him the time has asked for to do the work.

I respect the inquiry and, indeed, Dr. Scally but people are concerned and there are huge issues relating to this area. A family in Tipperary have contacted me to say that they have been waiting for six weeks for answers from the helpline. They are looking for information on their sister, who is deceased. Nothing will bring her back. Just ten minutes ago, the family were told that they will have to wait another four weeks before they get any information. The woman in question died of cervical cancer and it is just not good enough that the helpline cannot cope and is so inefficient. It is time something was done. The investigation is ongoing but I worry about it because our experience of inquiries has been so bad. Surely the helpline can be efficient, can give some information and can engage meaningfully with these families who have lost loved ones or are in the process of losing loved ones who have death sentences hanging over them.

I do not have the up-to-date figures for the helpline but those I saw from a few days ago indicated that well over three quarters, if not 80% or 90%, of calls have been returned. By returned, I do not mean answered - I mean that the people involved have been contacted and had their questions answered.

That is not good enough.

If Deputy Mattie McGrath wants to pass on the details of that case to me or to the Minister for Health, we will certainly make sure that the person gets a reply.