HSE to pay Vicky Phelan’s treatment bill but three others being denied settlements

The HSE has agreed to pay the €150,000-a-year cost of treatment for cervical cancer victim Vicky Phelan — but is still denying other women settlements along with a US lab at the centre of the scandal.

The double-standards row emerged as opposition parties piled pressure on the Government to sack HSE director general Tony O’Brien immediately, tabling a Dáil no confidence motion in Mr O’Brien which will be heard on Tuesday.

Speaking as Health Minister Simon Harris labelled the HSE’s drip-feed response to date as “disgusting”, and as a 209th woman was identified, Ms Phelan said the HSE has finally agreed to pay her treatment bill.