Dr. Kevin Kelleher:

The Deputy is quite right that we must make use of the period between, potentially, more than two or three waves, depending on how things go and whatever interventions may be available. The clear issue in this regard is to do with the level of socialisation. As we can see, the number of contacts rose when we moved out of tighter restrictions. We got it down to two or three but it then went up again as time moved on. That is the crucial issue and the one thing that will always hit us in the context of capacity. If we get to the point where we are back to the sorts of numbers we can cope with, which would be individuals having only three or four contacts each, then we would be in a good position. However, if the contacts go up above five, six or ten, as they have done, that is when we have real problems and there are suddenly a massive number of calls to be made to contacts. We have to look at how we go about keeping that number down into the future. We can look at some of the measures that are being used elsewhere. As Ms O'Beirne said, it could involve making use of technology which is being used in similar situations around the world. We are trying to get to that point. The big issue is that we need to make sure people understand the importance of adhering to certain rules. The main thing they should do - this is the general message for people, as well as the specific message we are looking to put out - is to reduce social contacts, particularly when they know they are ill.