Cancer scandal to dominate Cabinet meeting

The cancer misdiagnosis scandal at Portlaoise Hospital is expected to dominate today's weekly meeting of the Cabinet in Dublin.

Eight women have already learned that they were wrongly cleared of breast cancer by the hospital, while another 19 are awaiting the results of fresh mammograms.

HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm and Minister for Health Mary Harney have both attracted criticism in recent days for appearing the blame the public for the situation.

They say the system that led to the misdiagnoses is being defended by campaign groups as part of protests against the centralisation of cancer services.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet is also likely to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding the massive pay rises recently accepted by the Taoiseach and his ministers.

However, Bertie Ahern insisted yesterday that he and his colleagues would not be turning down the increases.