Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions. Apart from the future of the sector, I want to deal specifically with the issue of testing. We have had various experts appear before the committee, including with respect to Rome airport, where rapid antigen testing is taking place. The Minister has appeared before the committee, as has the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, covering this whole area. They have told us that the HIQA report indicates antigen testing is not foolproof and that the PCR test is the gold standard. Mr. Cullen made reference to that. I will frame my question in that light. I believe all testing for orange and red listed countries must be mandatory. We must find every mechanism possible to get people home, which will benefit the airline industry. The Government needs to examine, at a national level, how we can increase our capacity, if we can increase our capacity on PCR testing above the 300 tests a day overall across the airports that was referenced and if it can be made cost-effective to ensure people can afford to come home. Does Mr. Cullen envisage a way in which we can have a system of mandatory PCR testing where we can increase the capacity, be it on-site or off-site at airports, and that it can be cost-effective or does it have to be antigen testing for rapid testing to work? I want to put that question to the other witnesses and I have a brief follow-up question. Mr. Cullen, can we have rapid PCR testing?