Fine Gael has accused the Government of ignoring the issue of vaccine trials carried out on children in residential institutions.
Fine Gael's Social and Family Affairs Spokesman, David Stanton TD said he was concerned the Government was 'brushing aside' the issue as the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill, 2005, does not refer to these trials.
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act was passed into 2000 and the Government sought to amend it in 2001 to allow for investigations into vaccine trials. However, this amendment was challenged in the courts and any investigation into the trials was put on hold. Deputy Stanton said "the silence on vaccine trials is deafening."
"Time and time again I have asked questions about this and I am very concerned about the responses I have received. I raised the issue during the Order of Business in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste and was given to understand that the amending legislation would deal with the vaccine trials issue. It does not."
"The Government must use this Bill to deal finally with vaccine trials or at least to give some response as to what it intends to do. This Bill is a missed opportunity and I call again on the Minister to include a power at Committee Stage whereby the commission can investigate the vaccine trials," he said.