Would the Minister be prepared to make a statement showing the very low incidence of possible brain damage as a result of vaccine because many people believe that the possibility of this got untoward publicity in the past and as a consequence many mothers were afraid to get children vaccinated? Would the Minister be prepared to make a statement emphasising the very low incidence of this condition? I believe mothers need reassurance.

I would share the view of the Deputy in this regard. It must be borne in mind that whatever the tragedy that occurred the person at the time received vaccination for his or her protection against the very distressing and often disabling effects of the infectious disease concerned. Whooping cough can have the most severe complications such as convulsions and pneumonia and can even result in death, whereas of the 40 cases examined 14 were agreed but the incidence of effect is extraordinarily low and the balance of advantage to mothers of having their children vaccinated is overwhelmingly in favour of vaccination irrespective of the past probability or the current possibility of children being affected.