Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Last week, I spoke about the need for the re-instatement of the school BCG vaccination programme for sixth class pupils. In a further development, it appears we have no immunisation programme for babies and public health doctors are in broad agreement that this is the best time for a child to be vaccinated. The longer a child is without a vaccine, the more unprotected he or she is. Yesterday, a mother of a seven month old baby telephoned me to state she could not get the vaccine for her child anywhere in Galway. When will the BCG vaccine for babies be available to protect them against TB?

I support Senator Fitzgerald's amendment to the Order of Business with regard to a debate on the economy. Yesterday, I spoke to a major developer in Galway. He has one of the last remaining construction sites open in Galway. He told me that 50 different workers come to the site every day to seek jobs. Yesterday, we also learned that interest rates have broken 6% for the first time in recent years.