The HSE confirmed yesterday evening that at least 17 of 208 affected by cervical cancer tests scandal have since died.
Waterford TD David Cullinane has stated that it is known that out of the 208 woman some of them are from Waterford and the South East.
Speaking on Deise Today this morning, mother of two Vicky Phelan believes that the HIQA investigation will be a long drawn out process.
Vicky who has called on HSE CEO Tony O'Brien to resign said: "They are talking about carrying out a HIQA statutory investigation but I don't think that's going to go far enough because HIQA can't force management to be made accountable."
Concluding the Mooncoin native has called on women not to be put off from getting their smear tests.
"The cervical smear programme if it is run correctly and if the analysis of the smears are done correctly and we have a proper system that is quality controlled to the ends degree, the cervical smear programme is a fantastic programme and it does save lives.
Listen to Vicky's interview with Eamon below.
https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/vicky-phelan-speaks-to-eamon
