Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I give that commitment. We will come back in three weeks with a definitive plan on that. While I am on my feet, I suggest, as this relatively new Dáil commences, that every Member of this House would publicly commit to supporting the vaccination programme. There is no room for pseudoscience or wannabe doctors who are not doctors. I want to know if every single elected representative in every single political party is committed to supporting the HPV vaccine for young boys and young girls, one that can effectively eradicate a form of cancer in this country. What an incredible thing to say. We have it within our grasp over a number of years the ability to effectively eradicate a cancer, one that disproportionately affects young people, especially young women, but not just women. We have an opportunity here through vaccination and other means to effectively eradicate it. I invite all Members of the House to use the opportunity of Deputy O'Gorman's question to recommit to vaccination and to push back against the misinformation out there. I will commit to coming back within three weeks to the Deputy.

See this speech in context