First steps to national cervical screening

THE first steps are being taken by the Health Service Executive (HSE) towards the establishment of the long-awaited national cervical cancer screening service, it has been revealed.

However, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), which is due to meet Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney tomorrow, has warned there are still a number of "organisational hurdles" to be crossed.

The ICS is due to present the Tánaiste with a petition tomorrow of more than 53,000 signatures which it collected as part of its online campaign calling for the free national programme.