Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have experienced severe storms, such as Storm Emma, which we did not experience in previous years. As the Deputy will be aware, it brought services to a standstill although staff made incredible efforts to get to work. I accept the Deputy's point but we must have contingency planning for particularly extreme events, which cannot be quantified year on year.

In regard to the flu vaccine for healthcare staff, there has been renewed effort this year to encourage staff to get this vaccine. We cannot stress enough the importance of healthcare staff getting this vaccination, whether administrative, medical or catering staff. It is very important that people who work in healthcare facilities get the flu vaccination. When I was in New York recently I was told that healthcare staff there who have not had the flu vaccination must wear a mask on site.