Health Minister confirms woman was mistakenly given all-clear

The Minister for Health has confirmed that a woman from the Limerick/Clare area who is currently seriously ill with cancer was mistakenly given the all-clear.

Limerick Fine Gael TD Michael Noonan told the Dáil on Wednesday the woman had two cervical smears conducted by her GP in 2001 and 2006.

They tested negative after being sent to Galway.

Deputy Noonan has told Live 95FM news that he received a letter from Mary Harney this morning which confirms his information.

He said he will not comment further until the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, decides how she wants to proceed.

"I have forwarded it to the family. It’s a letter which is a full report on the situation and it confirms the information which I put before the Dáil on Wednesday," he said.