Simon Harris mulls full-scale investigation as number of women affected could now be ‘double’

Health Minister Simon Harris could bow to mounting pressure and replace the Government’s planned cervical cancer test Hiqa-led inquiry with a full-scale commission of investigation after revealing the number of women affected could be “double” what was previously believed.

Mr Harris contradicted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar by saying he is open to scrapping the initial Hiqa plans after saying a “potentially considerable number” of cervical cancer cases over the past decade have failed to be included in the initial HSE review.

In a lengthy statement at the start of an emergency three-hour Dáil debate, Mr Harris said he had been told that all cervical cancer cases notified to the National Cancer Registry since 2014 had been audited to ensure the necessary care was provided.