asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has issued to the County Wexford Board of Health a threat of mandamus because of their failure to enforce the Vaccination Laws, and whether he is aware that the vaccination laws have been in abeyance in County Wexford for the last twenty years, and that an attempt to enforce them now will involve the ratepayers in an enormous expense for legal proceedings, and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose of so amending the Vaccination Laws as to exempt conscientious objectors.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ENFORCEMENT OF VACCINATION LAWS.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Owing to the failure of the Vaccination Authorities to administer the Vaccination Acts in County Wexford there is now a large number of vaccination defaulters. The enforcement of these Acts will not involve the ratepayers in enormous expense for legal proceedings. Disregard of vaccination is a grave danger to the health of the people, and in the event of an epidemic would result in a very heavy expense to the county. I have no intention of introducing legislation to amend the Vaccination Acts.
Mr. JORDAN
I wish to give notice that I will raise this question on the adjournment.