Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Is there any explanation for the incidence of meningococcal disease across Europe and Ireland? In regard to the impact of the Hib vaccination, I gave birth to one of my children when that campaign was beginning. We trust that we are vaccinating our children for their overall good and the data before us clearly show that is the case.

Like Deputy Ó Caoláin, my neighbours lost their 18 year granddaughter to meningitis. She came home from school one day feeling unwell, was in intensive care by the same evening and, sadly, passed away the next morning. Her death had a huge impact on her parents, family and extended community. I recently heard the hopeful news that a prevention or cure may have been found. It would be a shame to think that costs or failure to get our act together could mean we do not help these people. The numbers may be small but for someone in that 1% or 2% cohort, life is changed forever. I am a very cautious mother. As soon as my children cough I bring them to the doctor because meningitis is every parents' worst nightmare.