asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans his Department has in the event of a spread of smallpox to this country.

If a case of smallpox occurred in this country the person concerned would be isolated in the National Isolation Centre at Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin. All contacts of the person concerned would be isolated and offered vaccination and appropriate laboratory tests would be undertaken on specimens from the case.

A reserve stock of vaccination is maintained specifically to deal with any outbreaks of smallpox.

Is the smallpox unit in Cherry Orchard open?

The National Isolation Centre is still situated there.