Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Several years ago we discussed at some length the problems created by the SARS epidemic in China. We were led to believe, on the best possible evidence, that the whole world would be overrun. Many people expressed grave concerns, there was much media commentary on the issue and then it simply died away.

Last year, we were introduced to bird flu. It broke out in Asia, moved through Asia Minor and across to Turkey. An infected bird was found in Greece and it was generally held that it would only be a matter of time before Europe was overrun with a bird flu pandemic and there would be widespread global difficulties.

We now have the same story again, this time with regard to Africa. It would be very helpful if the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, or someone from her Department would explain to the world at large that the chances of an influenza pandemic are close to those of a snowball surviving in hell. There has not been a flu pandemic since before the 1916 Rising. The chances of it happening again are remote in the extreme.