Before I address my substantive issue, I wish to state that I wrote to the Cathaoirleach yesterday to ask that the Minister for Health come before us today to address the serious concerns we have, a request which was passed to the Leader. I propose that the Order of Business be amended to facilitate the Minister coming to the Chamber. We will then address the main issue of the cervical smear test scandal.

Is the Senator proposing that the Minister come to the House to discuss the issue of cervical cancer screening?

Yes. I commend Vicky Phelan on the wonderful service she has done the State and her courage. It really alarmed me yesterday when the Minister said that this is a communications error. I could not believe what I was hearing. It is not a communications error. It is a systemic cover up, nothing else, so let us get that straight from the beginning. I could not see how any woman across this country could have confidence in the head of the HSE, Mr. Tony O'Brien, and I ask him to reflect on his position, the decisions he has made and the distress they have caused people, including women. With regard to the 208 women affected, I have no doubt numerous women are yet to come forward.

On behalf of the Sinn Féin group in the Seanad, I extend a warm welcome to the two new Senators taking their seats for the first time today.

It is a proud day for the families of Senators Ian Marshall and Anthony Lawlor, whom I welcome to the Gallery. I look forward to working with both Senators in the time ahead. Our opinions will diverge on some subjects but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Much has been made of the election of Senator Marshall and the fact that Sinn Féin made the decision to support him. Some even questioned if he is a real unionist, which made me wonder what constitutes a real unionist or a real Irish republican. Perhaps those who pose such questions should reflect on what they need to do to create an environment of mutual respect and equality in which we are all free to be whoever we are and to create a society in which no human being is less equal and in which other individuals or communities do not have to be put down in order that we might elevate ourselves.

The journey that began with the collective overwhelming support for the Good Friday Agreement has some way to go. There have been disappointments and frustrations on the pathway to the agreement's full implementation, most recently when the DUP was unable to close the deal agreed to get the institutions back up and running. However, we must not let these setbacks stop us on the journey to lasting peace and reconciliation. No problem is insurmountable. We have had to overcome problems in the past and we will do so again. Sinn Féin wants the institutions back up and running and I welcome the unionist perspective that Senator Marshall will bring to the House. After all, we only learn from those with a perspective that deviates from our own. We agree on many important issues, most glaringly on the potential negative impact of Brexit, North and South.

Hear, hear.

-----as well as the need to promote vibrant, sustainable rural economies, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. We both know that agriculture, North and South, will be the most challenged sector during and after the Brexit process. Threats of customs checks and tariffs, combined with a cut in the CAP budget, mean it is vital that we all work together. The perfect storm that has been created by the combination of Brexit and CAP reform next year means we do not have the luxury of sitting back on our Irish republican or unionist laurels. Those who question why Sinn Féin supported a unionist candidate in the Seanad election need to wake up and get with the programme. Our vision is for an inclusive Ireland and a new and united Ireland in which it is okay to be British, Irish, both or neither. That is the Ireland we want to build for the future.

Can one be a unionist in a united Ireland?

We have a responsibility to be secure enough in our own Irish republicanism or unionism to show leadership and foster a multidimensional approach to finding sustainable solutions that serve all communities. I look forward to working with the two new Senators in the time ahead.

I thought the Senator was going to tell us why she voted for Senator Lawlor as well. That is for tomorrow.

I was just about to tell the House.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach should have given her more time.

We would have all waited to hear that.

I was getting worried about the time and that the Senator would take too long.

The Chair might have allowed her to continue.

I welcome our two new colleagues and I look forward to working with them. On behalf of the Labour group, I extend our congratulations to them and their families who are with us today. It is a proud day for them.

Like previous speakers, I call for a debate on CervicalCheck and request that the Minister come to the House. The Leader is making attempts to get the Minister here, which is important. While he will speak in the Lower House, we also need the opportunity to debate the issue with him and to seek more answers to the many questions being raised with us by women from all over Ireland. I pay tribute to Vicky Phelan-----

Hear, hear.

-----and her family for the huge courage they showed in pursuing the case against robust opposition and defence by the State to the point where she was forced to give evidence in the witness box. The judge commented when the case was settled that she was one of the most impressive witnesses he had ever heard. I commend her tenaciousness in pursuing this issue. It is appalling that many other women may have been affected and that 162, 17 of whom have since died, were not notified of the audit.

It is also appalling that we have had such a drip feed of information on the issue of miscommunication, which is coming out so slowly. It appears the Minister is not fully apprised of exactly what was going on.

We need answers and the women of Ireland need answers. In particular we need to know how many women should have concerns. Thousands of women are ringing the helpline. As of this morning more than 6,000 women had already contacted the helpline. We need to know if the resources will be put in place to address the concerns of the many thousands of women who have gone through CervicalCheck. We also need to ensure that women continue to attend for screening because many women have routine appointments for screening already scheduled.

I note that the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has stated that it is essential women continue to have smear tests when called and that screening remains the best way to detect cervical cancer. It notes that the combination of HPV vaccination and a well-resourced national screening programme is the best way to reduce the incidence. Of course, it should not be forgotten that we have seen a 7% decrease in cervical cancer per year in each year of the programme. I think all of us know women and families who have been affected by cervical cancer, and we recognise this is a deadly killer. It is vital that we ensure we have a robust screening programme and a robust vaccination programme. The Minister and the head of the HSE need to move very swiftly to allay people's concerns.

As my party's health spokesperson in the Dáil, Deputy Kelly, has pointed out, we, along with everybody else, support a review. The key question is over the appropriate body to undertake a review. Does HIQA have sufficient statutory powers to enable the sort of investigation to be carried out that we desperately require? Should HIQA be further resourced or should the matter now be put into a commission of investigation or, indeed, a tribunal? The first priority, before we descend into political discussion or questioning on it, is to ensure women's health is protected.

On a happier note, I welcome today's introduction of the sugar tax, which has also been welcomed by the Irish Heart Foundation. I know colleagues, notably Senator Noone, have been campaigning for many years on the issue. I very much welcome that introduction.

I commend yesterday's launch by President Higgins of a new four-volume series, The Cambridge History of Ireland. I note our colleague, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, along with her colleagues James Kelly, Brendan Smith and Thomas Bartlett are the editors of the four-volume series. It is very important. I note that the President took the opportunity to remark on the importance of history as part of the secondary school curriculum. It should not be in any way downgraded or reduced in importance because it is so vital for all of our citizens to understand our history.