The Taoiseach has said the doctors who did not pass on information to the women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy should now apologise to the women individually.
The Scally Review was published yesterday. It found that many of the women caught up in the smear test controversy feel resentment over the way clinicians interacted with them.
It found "serious gaps" in expertise and governance of the CervicalCheck screening programme.
Presenting his report, Dr Gabriel Scally said the problems uncovered "are redolent of a whole-system failure".
Speaking today, Leo Varadkar said there is an attitude in some parts of the health service that medical professionals know best.
Mr Varadkar said there was an old-fashioned view that telling patients certain information might upset them.
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The Taoiseach said this was paternalistic and there was a degree of misogyny in it.
He said this was wrong and he was embarrassed for his own profession after reading the review.
Junior minister for Health, Finian McGrath, said the Independent Alliance welcomes the Scally Review.
He said the women affected had shown great bravery and dignity and the Alliance would take its direction from them.
He said as members of Government, they would strongly support the wishes of the women affected.
Additional reporting: Martina Fitzgerald
