Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1797. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason that NPHET is considering the introduction of mandatory vaccination given that the Taoiseach has informed Dáil Éireann that mandatory vaccination will not be introduced in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1854/22]
View answerAs 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 (e.g. healthcare) as part of their national response to COVID-19. There are however 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.
