Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I support the calls of my colleagues regarding inviting the Taoiseach to the Chamber. I also support the comments of Senator Shane Ross on Zimbabwe.

I raise the very disturbing reports that we are facing a measles epidemic as a direct result of a decrease in the rate of vaccinations. While I can understand the concerns and fears of parents regarding the consequences of the MMR vaccine, there is as of yet no credible scientific evidence to link vaccination with the incidence of autism. However, it is a clearly established fact that measles can have devastating consequences. It can leave in its wake children who had been experiencing normal development prior to infection but who, as a direct result of contracting measles, go on to acquire intellectual disabilities. We are now seeing, for the first time in a very long time, children presenting for assessment and diagnosis of an intellectual disability as a result of having acquired measles. This is completely preventable and avoidable. I ask the Leader to convey to the Minister for Health and Children the necessity for an urgent campaign of public information on the facts of vaccination. This is also an opportune moment to ask those who have been urging parents not to have their children vaccinated to reflect on the consequences of such action.