Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's opening statement referred to Covid vaccinations, the thing everyone has pinned their hope on. On my way to the Dáil this morning, I heard several radio station carrying sound bites of the Minister's counterpart in Britain, Matt Hancock, announcing how they had the refrigeration facilities and the capacity to roll out a Pfizer vaccination beginning next week. A comprehensive plan is being developed here but, on foot of the bold plans in Britain, have plans in Ireland progressed further? Can the Minister give the committee a timeline or some detail on how the roll-out will happen? There is a debate whether distribution should be at GP level, where they know their vulnerable patients or whether other State mechanisms should be used, perhaps the Army, or whatever is needed undertake an emergency mass vaccination of the population?