Dr. Ronan Glynn:

In broad terms we need to keep adapting and we have learned much, although the basics have not changed. In the next month we will learn much about the future of dealing with the virus, particularly the extent to which the existence of these variants becomes known across Europe as more testing is done in member states and the extent to which we will be successful in containing or avoiding their import.

Just yesterday NPHET commenced work on where we go in the medium to longer term, looking at a 12-month view. In the first instance we would deal with the next four, six, eight and 12 weeks, an acute phase in which we try to manage what is facing us now. We need to build on that and put in play what we hope will be a very positive impact from the vaccines over the medium term. We clearly need to start talking about the longer term as well, as the one action we cannot take is go back to a position where we do not understand the very significant impact that globalisation can have on us in Ireland if we do not have enough focus on infectious diseases and their impact.

Looking at the global experience of this pandemic, Dr. Mike Ryan has said this may not be the big one and he may very well be right. What we have seen internationally with this pandemic is that experiences like this affect the most disadvantaged and vulnerable and those living on the margins of society. In the longer term, if there is to be any legacy from this, we must put in place a process that learns from the experience to ensure we can be in a better position in future.