At the very end of my slot on Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach confirmed that repeat cervical tests would happen and that the Minister for Health informed him about this some weeks ago. Can the Taoiseach indicate how many women will have to have tests repeated? Could he indicate when the women concerned will be contacted by the Department and CervicalCheck? One should bear in mind that the programme covers 230,000 annually and that there are to be 90,000 to 100,000 extra because of the Minister's decision. There is no extra capacity and there are no extra resources. I understand quite a significant number of tests are null and void because of the delay. The backlog is resulting in a delay of six months. The programme is in crisis mode. I asked the Taoiseach a number of questions. They call for an upfront, comprehensive statement from the Minister for Health. In the public interest, he owes it to this House to appear before it to make a comprehensive statement on this issue. I ask the Taoiseach to allow for this.

I thank the Deputy again. I should clarify that I was informed of this through my adviser, who was informed by the Minister for Health. That was a few weeks ago. I understand there are some tests that need to be repeated and that the patients will be informed individually by letter. I believe some have been informed already but I do not know for sure so I will ask the Minister to provide the information that the Deputy requests.

Why was this withheld for so long and kept secret?

The Deputy may not explore that matter.

The Ceann Comhairle knows I asked the Taoiseach a parliamentary question on 15 January.

We cannot discuss that now.

I asked a question on 15 January and it was not replied to. I have complained under Standing Orders about the decision of the Minister not to reply to the specific questions I asked.

If the Deputy sends me a copy of his complaint, we will have the matter investigated.

There was a deliberate attempt to cover this up. I hope I am wrong.

I have no difficulty in asking the Minister for Health to provide answers to these questions. I do not believe they are unreasonable. I will ask the Minister to provide the answers to the Deputy but obviously not in a way that would compromise anyone's medical information. I am sure the Deputy is not asking for that.

I hope the backbench Deputies who regularly complain to me about not being able to contribute will not keep complaining to me if leaders keep consuming the time.

It is the leaders who are at fault.

This is a serious issue.

It is.