Controversy surrounds comments made by the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore who has called the safety of a vaccine against cervical cancer into question.
In an inteview with the Irish Times, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan suggested that the Gardasil vaccine is only '70 per cent safe' and that the experience of the Regret group who have concerns it should not be 'rubbished'.
Although the vaccine is backed by the World Health Organisation and other scientific bodies, he maintains there are 'conflicting opinions' about its safety.
Bishop Cullinan suggested that the money being spent on obtaining the injection would be better spent on encouraging young people to stay chaste.
He also says that the vaccination may lead women to engage in unsafe sexual activity leading to increased risk of infection and serious health problems.
His comments have been described by the HSE as 'outdated, unhelpful and ill-informed'.
Bishop Cullinan spoke to Aoihin on Déise Today. You can listen here
