The HSE is continuing to contact women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy.

Over 170 women, who had audits carried out on their smear tests, have now been contacted. Meanwhile, the HSE is also continuing to examine some 1,500 cervical cancer cases that were not part of the original audit.

The Government is now expected to establish a non-statutory scoping inquiry, with the aim of providing quick answers to the many questions raised by this controversy.

In a meeting between the Health Minister, Simon Harris, and the Opposition spokespeople on health, it was agreed that a person from outside of the State should conduct this inquiry. It will look at issues such as how many women should have been informed about a delay in their diagnosis and who knew what within the health service.

The person who carries out this inquiry will assess whether a commission of investigation is needed and if so, what the terms of reference should be.

It is hoped that the work of this person will be completed by June.

Speaking on RTE News, Minister Harris said that he was ‘mad as hell' that information relayed to him about the controversy, that he then relayed to the Irish people, ‘has then been replaced by further information'.

He said this had caused huge difficulty for women throughout the country and they feel let down by the health service. He also said that he feels let down and misled by senior people in the health service who provided this information to him.

Meanwhile, speaking at an Oireachtas committee on Wednesday, HSE director general, Tony O'Brien, said that he would not be standing down from his position before his scheduled departure in the summer. He said he would be devoting most of his remaining time in his post to deal with this issue.

The HSE added that additional staff are now in place to deal with the high volume of calls received by the CervicalCheck helpline. Over 6,000 calls have been received by the helpline over the last few days. The helpline number is 1800 45 45 55. More information for concerned women is also available here