Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

It seems the Taoiseach stole my line, because I was going to say I would find out. I thank Deputy O'Gorman for raising a very important issue. I will answer the questions directly, but I join with him in talking about the importance of a science-led, evidence-based approach to vaccination.

I am very proud that largely, but not exclusively, in this House we have taken an approach across party lines, where we follow the evidence and listen to the doctors. As a result of that, we have seen lives saved and cancers prevented. I knew Laura Brennan personally. I wrote to her parents as recently as last week. She was an incredible young woman, who has saved countless lives by dedicating her final years to working to promote the vaccine. Her family are very proudly continuing that work.

As Deputy O'Gorman says, we did also expand the vaccine to boys. By the way, this did not happen by accident. There was an organised and concerted campaign to run down the vaccine and to suppress vaccination rates. There was misinformation and disinformation and downright mistruths and online campaigns. Thanks to Laura Brennan spearheading the campaign, we collectively managed to see the uptake rates increase again, working with clinicians and the HSE.

We have given a commitment to extend the catch-up programme. In direct answer to the Deputy's question on whether it is going ahead: we put it in the programme for Government, and it is going ahead. If there is anybody in some part of the Civil Service who thinks they know better, I assure them that we intend to deliver on the programme for Government commitment. I passionately believe in this, as I know Deputy O'Gorman does too.

I did not know this question was coming up, so I do not have a direct answer for the Deputy on when it will happen, but I undertake to speak to the Minister for Health today on the matter and I will come directly back to him on the issue.

I am always open to hearing if there is a particular reason or obstacle that I am not aware of, but this is a very important catch-up campaign. There is a reason it is in the programme for Government. I expect it is something on which there is cross-party support. I will revert to the Deputy directly on it.

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