Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
352. Deputy Carol Nolan asked 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]
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. 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.
