THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH and CHILDREN, MR MARTIN, SAID HE AGREED THAT THE INQUIRY INTO IMMUNISATION TRIALS ON CHILDREN IN CARE SHOULD BE A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH "AND NOTHING ELSE". THAT WAS WHAT THE LAFFOY COMMISSION WOULD DO. DR MAURICE HAYES (IND) HAD MADE AN IMPORTANT POINT IN THIS REGARD, THE MINISTER ACKNOWLEDGED.
DR HAYES HAD EARLIER EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT WHATEVER INQUIRY WAS CONDUCTED, AND THE DEBATE ASSOCIATED WITH IT, COULD PROCEED AS A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH RATHER THAN AS A WITCH HUNT.
MR MARTIN SAID THAT WHILE THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT INTO THE TRIALS HAD ALSO BEEN REFERRED TO THE JOINT OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND CHILDREN, HE WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS THE IDEAL FORUM FOR A INQUIRY OF THIS KIND. HE PERSONALLY BELIEVED THAT THE LAFFOY COMMISSION OFFERED THE BEST VEHICLE FOR FINDING THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.
MS HELEN KEOGH (FG) SAID SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES BELIEVED THAT THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE, PARTICULARLY THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT IN APPROVING VACCINE TESTS ON CHILDREN IN INSTITUTIONS.
DR MARY HENRY (IND) SAID THE DOCTOR WHO HAD CARRIED OUT THE TRIALS IN QUESTION MUST HAVE HAD CONSENT FROM SOMEONE TO GO INTO THESE HOMES.