Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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352. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request from NPHET the status of its deliberations on and ethical analysis of mandatory vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4081/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, several countries have announced that they are introducing or are considering the introduction of mandatory vaccination policies, either at a population level or more commonly in certain workplace settings. There are no plans currently to introduce such a policy in Ireland. Mandatory vaccination policies represent a considerable interference with individual liberties and autonomy which requires that ethical and legal considerations should be explicitly evaluated and analysed. The paper being prepared by my Department seeks to explore the complex issues raised by mandatory vaccination as part of the wider, comprehensive, evidence-based strategy for managing the pandemic and will be discussed by the National Public Health Emergency Team in due course.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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353. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the expert advisors invited to attend NPHET meetings as provided for in the NPHET terms of reference; if these expert advisors were paid a fee; if so, the individual and total amounts incurred from February 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4084/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 is the mechanism for overseeing the health sector response to significant health-based emergencies. It facilitates the sharing of information between the Department of Health and its agencies and provides a forum for agreement as to strategic approaches to such emergencies. It is currently under the Chairmanship of Chief Medical Officer.

The NPHET’s membership is multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral in line with best international practice. Membership comprises representatives from across the health and social care service including the Department of Health (DOH), Health Service Executive (HSE), Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and others with relevant expertise in health and/or other related matters.

On occasion, individuals with specific knowledge and/or expertise have been invited to attend NPHET meetings in accordance with the NPHET’s Terms of Reference.

The following people have attended NPHET meetings as on at least one occasion, since its inception:

- Ms Judith Martin – In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Lead, Medical Devices, Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)

- Ms Niamh O’Beirne - National Lead, Testing and Tracing HSE

- Prof Martin Cormican - Professor of Bacteriology at NUI Galway and Consultant Microbiologist

- Dr David Hanlon - National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead Primary Care, HSE

- Dr Conor Teljeur - Chief Scientist, HIQA

I wish to advise the Deputy that none of the above were paid a fee for their participation.