We, the undersigned, feel it is disgraceful that although the government purports to encourage the young women of Ireland to take responsibility for their health, they fail to provide so basic a service as smear tests for under 25s for free. As a result, many young women who develop cervical cancer in their 20s will fail to detect it at a time when it is most curable. We feel that 25 is an arbitrary age picked by the government as a transparent cost-cutting measure and we demand that the government provide this free service for all women aged 18 and over. It is also as disgrace that under 25s cannot avail of a smear test in certain college health facilities, even for a price. This system is inherently flawed and we feel that more information and a more open service to young women who choose to actively protect their health is in order.