Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to be able to speak to this motion this evening, which I am not supporting. I will be supporting Deputy Clare Daly's amendment to the motion.

I have concerns about the vaccine as it has been rolled out in recent years. I have met countless families with daughters who have had adverse reactions to the vaccine. They cannot prove it but it is a big coincidence. There are nearly 500 families in Ireland who are very concerned about the state of their vibrant, sporting, capable and able daughters, who, having had the vaccine, are literally lifeless. They cannot say that the vaccine is definitely the cause but it is too much of a coincidence. They are traumatised, have lost out on school, have lost out on friends and participating in activities. I know one girl, Monnie, who was a very able horse rider at 12 or 13 years. She could do anything with a horse she could tackle them, pet them, ride them, jump them and everything else and now she is barely able to walk. She is now travelling around the world to try to find a treatment. There are huge efforts. My wife and I made the decision that we would not allow our daughters to get the vaccine. It is a personal decision for any family. People should tread with caution. We have seen the might of the pharmaceutical companies. I have seen it in Tipperary but it is evident all over the world and it is an issue.

Tomorrow, an international speaker will be here to address this matter. The 500 families whose daughters are affected have formed an organisation and are lobbying. They are entitled to do so. Any of us would lobby if our child was very seriously ill. For the people to whom I refer to be told by the CEO of the HSE, Mr. O'Brien, that they are emotional terrorists is outrageous. When I told the Minister that Mr. O'Brien should at least be reprimanded - he should have been sacked - the Minister stood up and said that he was right. How can a person say that about concerned parents? Any of us would die for our children. How could anyone accuse parents of being emotional terrorists. The emotional terrorism is going on day in, day out in the hospital wards, with their queues and the trolleys, as my colleagues alluded to earlier. Sleep deprivation is a war crime. I have said this before. People are denied sleep in trolleys and chairs in emergency departments sometimes for 36 hours or it could be three full days or longer, where they cannot sleep for noise, lights and everything else. If this was a war situation, they would be referred to the Hague for war crimes. For the Minister to stand up in the Chamber and say that Mr. O'Brien is right is outrageous. If he had any moral respect, he would also resign. The 500 families are just concerned and raising issues. They are not well-off or well resourced, and they are entitled to have their concerns without being described as emotional terrorists. It is outrageous and I hope that the Minister of State will correct the record this evening and perhaps give them some solace.

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