Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Many questions have been asked about the distribution of packs for front-line health care workers. Having read a little about how the workers in America are dealing with the situation, I would like to focus on the issue of the disposal of such garments. Where patients were treated effectively in the US, a significant amount of resources and specialised equipment was used in the decontamination of equipment before it was transported by waste management companies. For example, industrial autoclaves operating at very high temperatures were used to treat disposable garments before they were put on the "Federal highways".

The Minister referred to repatriating someone with the disease. We have a free travel area arrangement with the UK and there are frequent ferry services. If a person appears in Rosslare, is treated there and undergoes an assessment to determine whether he or she should be brought to the Mater, what of the equipment used in Rosslare? Has thought been given to this issue and how will we deal with it? While it is good to know that the packs have been distributed, if one or two cases arise in Ireland, how will we ensure that standards are met, in light of the fact that most of our waste disposal services are private? How are we engaging with those providers with a view to ensuring that this disease is cut off at the earliest point?