"In the meantime, for the forthcoming flu season, our priority remains to ensure a high uptake rate is achieved in the at risk groups including pregnant women, " he added.
"The injury rate at this point of the season has been high and, with three Lions players out injured as well as fitness tests pending on two others, this impacts on the experience in the squad considerably, " said Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
With job creation the top issue this campaign season, and outsourcing being blamed as a big contributor to the high unemployment rate, Democrats saw the bill as an election-year winner.