Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for Health and Children to attend the Chamber to discuss our childhood vaccination programme? I welcome the recent roll-out of the cervical cancer vaccine, but will the Minister discuss with the House the uptake of early childhood vaccinations and indicate to us the incidence of recent outbreaks? In the past number of months, there have been reports of measles and mumps outbreaks. Last year, there was an outbreak of whooping cough. Such outbreaks illustrate that we may no longer have herd immunity. This has considerable implications for us, in that we will unnecessarily face the threat of child deaths and acquired intellectual disabilities, all of which can be avoided. Will the Leader arrange for the Minister to appear in the House as a matter of urgency?

As to the issues raised regarding child protection, Senator Mullen referred to the need for a debate on the two reports. I am concerned by the constant call for debates. I would be happier were action taken. I understand the importance of learning from and considering reports, but we need to focus on action. The House could examine and insist on the practical steps that could be taken. For example, we could end the exemption from inspection of residential facilities for children with disabilities and non-national children. We could also ask Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to name the dark forces of which he spoke yesterday. We could take many actions that would have nothing to do with debates on the reports.