asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state (a) the number of vaccination defaulters in the Saorstát during the year 1929; (b) the number that have been prosecuted, and (c) the number that have been committed to prison.

The number of vaccination defaulters in the Saorstát on the 31st December, 1929, is not yet available. According to returns received the total number on 30th September, 1929, was 33,731. Particulars are not available showing the number of cases in which proceedings have been taken against defaulters or the number of defaulters who have been committed to prison.

Arising out of that reply, seeing there are so many vaccination defaulters in the Saorstát, is there any possibility of the Minister introducing new legislation, or amending legislation, whereby conscientious objectors to vaccination will be facilitated with an optional clause?

I think the Deputy is aware that a proposal of that nature was discussed by the House some time ago and various sound reasons were brought forward why no such legislation should be passed.

If such legislation has been found suitable for other countries which are progressive in Public Health why cannot this State adopt some similar class of legislation?