Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Taoiseach is very exercised about the Opposition opposing the Government, particularly its health measures. We can agree that the measure that was announced by the Minister for Health and Children in August — the immunisation of 12 year old girls against cervical cancer — should proceed. We can agree, across the floor of the House, where the €10 million that is needed to proceed with the immunisation programme should come from. I suggest that rather than coming in here tonight and pursuing its amendment and its opposition to the motion before the House, the Government should propose how the programme can proceed. I invite the Minister for Health and Children to put such a proposal to the Fine Gael and Labour Party spokespersons on health during the course of the day.

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