Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are a couple of things I wish to bring to the attention of the House. I welcome the fact that our former colleague in the House, Mr. Pádraig Ó Céidigh, is being nominated by the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to take over as chair of the board of the Shannon Group. This is an inspired appointment given the decades of experience that Mr. Ó Céidigh has had in business, particularly in the area of aviation. Given his forensic knowledge of aviation, his love of the west of Ireland, what he does in regard to tourism and his passion for developing quality of life in the west of Ireland, we are very excited at the prospect of what he could achieve in his new position, when ratified, as chair of the Shannon Group.

I put down a Commencement matter today on the HPV vaccine and I was delighted with what the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte, outlined in regard to the significant uptake of the vaccine for the past 12 months. The programme is now ready to go for this year in schools. I welcome the confirmation from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, that the €400 to €600 charged by GPs in respect of those who did not take up the vaccine at the time but whose parents decided on reflection that taking up the vaccine was the right thing to do will be eliminated. There will be no barriers to anybody who wants to take up the HPV vaccine, even at a late stage.That is very welcome, a Chathaoirligh.