Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Vicky Phelan Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

'A lack of respect': Vicky Phelan hits out at TDs who didn't attend formal Dáil apology

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One today, Phelan said she was “annoyed” that the apology was delayed.

VICKY PHELAN HAS said she is “very disappointed’ the Dáil chamber wasn’t full for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s formal apology to women affected by failures in the CervicalCheck programme yesterday. 

Speaking in the Dáil, Varadkar apologised to the women, their partners and their children for the pain they suffered as a result, and acknowledged that a State apology “may not provide closure but it I hope it will help to heal”.

Issues with the screening programme emerged after a High Court case taken by Phelan last year.

The Limerick woman and others, including the late Emma Mhic Mhathúna, became advocates for the women affected by cervical cancer.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One today, Phelan said she was “annoyed” that the apology was delayed over the ongoing “buttongate” controversy. 

“That really annoyed me, I was sitting there thinking that all of these politicians knew there were women and families sitting in the gallery waiting for this apology and some of them didn’t think it was important enough to start on time,” she said. 

“I was very disappointed to see that it wasn’t more full. It was full for Enda Kenny’s apology to the Magdalene women and everybody has a mother, a daughter or a sister and they all should have been there are far as I’m concerned,” Phelan went on to say. 

‘A lack of respect’ 

In the Dáil yesterday, Varadkar acknowledged that the apology was too late for some of those who were affected.

“For others it will never be enough,” he said.”Today’s apology is offered to all the people the State let down. And to the families who paid the price for those failings.

“A broken service, broken promises, broken lives – a debacle that left a country heartbroken. A system that was doomed to fail.

We apologise: to our wives, our daughters, our sisters, our mothers – to the men who lost the centre of their lives and who every day have to try and pick up the pieces. The single fathers and grandparents.

“To the children who will always have a gaping hole in their lives. To all those grieving for what has been taken from them. The happy days that will never be. A State apology may not provide closure, but I hope it will help to heal.”

When asked today if the empty seats in the Dáil chamber bothered her, Phelan said those missing had shown “a lack of respect”.

“These are our elected representatives.  I would say to the people who weren’t there, to their constituents, remember that when voting and election time comes around, and these people didn’t see fit or see it as important enough to be there…for what, an hour? These things are a big deal for people, and more people should have been in the chamber for it.”

Phelan said that the formal apology itself meant an awful lot: ”I really do think that it can help a lot of people to move on with their lives. It’s not going to change things, it’s not going to bring their loved ones back but I did think the apology was more than what we were expecting.”

Dr Gabriel Scally, who was tasked by the government with examining the screening programme, found that there were failures “from top to bottom”.

Following the apology, the CervicalCheck patient support group, 221plus, yesterday described the Taoiseach’s acknowledgement on behalf of the state as a “watershed moment”. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
56 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Mc Bride
    Favourite Willy Mc Bride
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 4:37 PM

    Respect for money is all they know..

    479
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cocker
    Favourite Cocker
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 4:43 PM

    If they weren’t paid for the days they didn’t show up, you’d soon find the place full.

    487
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Kavanagh
    Favourite Michael Kavanagh
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:08 PM

    @Cocker:
    Especially as they now seemingly require their own finger to the button!

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Cully
    Favourite Jimmy Cully
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 6:04 PM

    @Cocker: that’s why so many are voting for each other

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MickN
    Favourite MickN
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 4:45 PM

    Anywhere to find a list of those who didnt bother turning up?

    373
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry Campbell
    Favourite Gerry Campbell
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:13 PM

    @MickN: now you are talking,list please journal….

    240
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute GrahamMManning
    Favourite GrahamMManning
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 4:40 PM

    Apologising while fighting them in court. Skum, their respect means nothing.

    360
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Flood
    Favourite John Flood
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 4:42 PM

    We need fewer apologies and a better HSE! Between apologies, endless payouts for incompetence, and waiting lists that defy gravity, it baffles all of us that nothing seems to end the scandals.

    290
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 4:46 PM

    An apology would be fine if it came from Varadkar’s mouth. Not one scripted by his overpaid PR crew who do all his thinking and image polishing for him.

    237
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Lynch
    Favourite Alan Lynch
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 7:43 PM

    @Dave Doyle: ah would you get over yourself!

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
    Favourite Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 10:27 PM

    @Alan Lynch: he’s right you need to wake up and get over yourself

    23
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute the-baldie-lad
    Favourite the-baldie-lad
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 11:39 PM

    @Jim O Brien – TechBuzz Ireland: I thank he’s wrong and you need to get over yourself.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Whitehead
    Favourite Paul Whitehead
    Report
    Oct 24th 2019, 7:43 AM

    @Dave Doyle: What you need my friend, is to get over yourself. There is a clear consensus on this issue.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent #SaveDaredevil
    Favourite Vincent #SaveDaredevil
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:02 PM

    Does she not get it, THEY DON’T CARE, not even a little bit

    158
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anna Kirby
    Favourite Anna Kirby
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 11:31 PM

    @Vincent #SaveDaredevil: stop

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam O'Connell
    Favourite Liam O'Connell
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:40 PM

    Now journal.ie ,give us a list of TD’s not there, fact check that one,we ll see.

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Murphy
    Favourite Brian Murphy
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 4:55 PM

    In fairness all respect to Vicky Phelan but I can understand why TDs wouldn’t want be there, it was reported on Kerry newspapers and some national how Fine Gael wanted Emma Mhic Mhathúna to thank the party in a statement, a sort of self promotion for them, absolutely disgusting. It was denied but no smoke without fire and that. This and the fact women have to go to court for a f up like this. What’s the point of words if actions are completely contradictory to them.

    157
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TM B
    Favourite TM B
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:01 PM

    Come on Vicki even the apology is insincere Leo is attacking the other victims in court

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernard Kavanagh
    Favourite Bernard Kavanagh
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 6:07 PM

    https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/dail-apology-for-broken-service-broken-promises-broken-lives-959091.html

    Women of Ireland remember that when you vote in the general election, remember the Dail apology. There were only 28 from 58 Fine Gael TDs present!
    Ms Phelan also took aim at the number of Government TDs who were not in the Dáil to witness the State apology.

    While around 80 women and some of their family members packed into the public gallery to hear the Taoiseach’s comments, there were just 28 Fine Gael politicians in the chamber when Mr Varadkar rose to his feet.

    “I do think there were far fewer politicians in the chamber than we would have liked, to be honest,” said Ms Phelan. “There could have been a few more there. Everyone has a mother, wife, sister.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Kennedy
    Favourite Mike Kennedy
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:48 PM

    @Bernard Kavanagh: that’s disgraceful that 30 of them were not there, shame on them. But why did you just list Fine Gael numbers? What’s your agenda?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute leeser
    Favourite leeser
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:04 PM

    I find it amazing, with all the sh*te thats wrong and needs fixing in this country, the voting and pressing of buttons in the Dail makes all the headlines. It’s almost like it was deliberatley released as to cause some sort of distraction?

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute New Day Rising
    Favourite New Day Rising
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:39 PM

    @leeser: the voting fraud could turn and should turn into a massive scandal. It casts doubt on every bill passed going back years.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seriously stunned
    Favourite Seriously stunned
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 6:34 PM

    They don’t even show up to vote ffs.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shakka1244
    Favourite Shakka1244
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 9:25 PM

    @Seriously stunned: Why should they/ Their buddies vote for them now.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul gurney
    Favourite paul gurney
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 6:44 PM

    It was Leo’s refusal to introduce mandatory disclosure that caused this scandal in the first place…his apology is a cynical vote grabber ,an attempt to put the issue away before an election..

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene
    Favourite Eugene
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:23 PM

    Name those in the Chamber who didn’t attend for the cervical smear apology. There’s an election coming soon.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marg FitzGerald
    Favourite Marg FitzGerald
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:26 PM

    How many ministers from the Health department were present?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dooley
    Favourite Paul Dooley
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:42 PM

    They were probably all there under their seats asleep but got up to clock in

    What a useless pack of weasels

    Can they be named in an FOI

    It would be worth it

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marianne
    Favourite Marianne
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 6:02 PM

    Well said VICKY..they are a Disgrace

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Wheeler
    Favourite Niall Wheeler
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:18 PM

    How can I find out which TDs were and were not there ?

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene
    Favourite Eugene
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:27 PM

    Name and shame those male and female alleged politicians who refrained from attending the Leo apology to the women affected by abhorrent negligence.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnneMarie Roche
    Favourite AnneMarie Roche
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:30 PM

    I hope to god neither Ms.Phelan or any of the women affected by this scandal read the monsterous comments from those ‘men’ above. Would you be so callous if it were your wife, mother, sister or daughter facing a premature death due to negligence?

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan O Toole
    Favourite Declan O Toole
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 5:33 PM

    Utterly disgusting, sickening. Our elected representatives continually show us that their only self indulgent cleptoparasites.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Barron
    Favourite Sean Barron
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:39 PM

    Is there a list of names who didn’t attend?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene
    Favourite Eugene
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:23 PM

    Name those in the Dail who didn’t attend for the cervical smear apology. There’s an election coming soon.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret Kane
    Favourite Margaret Kane
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 9:07 PM

    He only apologized because he had to can’t believe he meant it

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Keane
    Favourite Johnny Keane
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 10:27 PM

    Can you post the list of tds that did not attend if that is available please?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Roche
    Favourite Daniel Roche
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 9:03 PM

    Yes it’s awful this happened and fully deserved apology, these women need every support possible but to expect every TD to be in the Dáil is asking alot, alot of good TDs are working in their local areas for the people, you can’t be everywhere.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene
    Favourite Eugene
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 8:26 PM

    Name and shame those male and female alleged politicians who refrained from attending the Leo apology to the women affected by abhorrent negligence.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Smith
    Favourite Martin Smith
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 11:02 PM

    And the person who allowed tests to be done outside of state and sits on those boards well she just keeps watching the money roll in without been hauled before any committee to answer for her decisions.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lalor
    Favourite Leo Lalor
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 10:46 PM

    They were all in attendance for American vice president visit. Disgusting group

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marty
    Favourite Marty
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 9:35 PM

    Politician should be fined by the president for this type of carry on.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute the-baldie-lad
    Favourite the-baldie-lad
    Report
    Oct 23rd 2019, 11:39 PM

    I think the whole thing is blown out of proportion.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Coloe
    Favourite Fred Coloe
    Report
    Oct 24th 2019, 10:18 AM

    The apology is hollow.Mis -treatment of patients continues on a daily basis in the Health service. Zero accountability continues unabated!!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rose Brien Harrington
    Favourite Rose Brien Harrington
    Report
    Oct 27th 2019, 11:17 PM

    Don’t get suckered in by this apology. It doesn’t mean they are sorry, it doesn’t mean that they will do better in the future, it doesn’t mean that they will never make such a mistake again. Vicky Phelan mentioned the Magdalene apology. Ends Kenny promised appropriate redress and enhanced medical cards for survivors. That was six years ago, several survivors have died without redress since then. Then he rowed back on the medical card enhancements and a legal tussle ensued. Some of the enhancements were granted, some not. That apology meant sweet bugger all in the long run. They’d already decided they were going to screw over the survivors and they did. They will do the same in this issue.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds