The outsourcing of cytology screening which detects cervical cancer is being debated by medical scientists in Dublin today.
The motion, before the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association's (MLSA) annual general meeting, is critical of the Health Service Executive's decision to send samples to laboratories in the US.
The Government will also be called on to provide the necessary funding to allowfor the development of a properly structured cytology screening service in Ireland
"The problems causing the delay in cytology screening are primarily due to historic under-resourcing of the service," said Terry Casey, National Secretary of the MLSA.
"Medical scientists are firmly of the view that it is in the best interests of women's health that the screening is performed in Ireland, in order to ensure that a quality service is maintained.
"We are calling on the HSE to put in place the necessary infrastructure and resources to allow this to happen."
The MLSA is also debating the proposal by the HSE to privatise over 50 per cent of pathology work currently performed in the public health sector
"With up to 80 percent of all health care decisions affecting diagnosis or treatment involving a pathology investigation, any decision to involve the private sector to such a significant degree would highlight a major policy shift in Irish healthcare," said Mr Casey.
The MLSA — which is affiliated to SIPTU — represents 1,700 medical scientists.