Bishop Phonsie Cullinan said Gardasil is only 70% safe, however, the worst that can be said against the vaccine is that it isn’t 100% effective, writes Terry Prone.

Ministers have urged the Church to leave clinical debates to the experts after one bishop claimed that the HPV cervical cancer vaccine is only “70%” safe.

He has warned people not to take medical advice from people without the proper qualifications.

"The women of Ireland might be better served if Bishop Cullinan left pronouncements on important clinical matters such as vaccination programmes to the experts in that field," the HSE's communications spokesman said.