Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Glynn, Mr. Woods and the team from the HSE. I acknowledge the exceptional work carried out by front-line workers and health officials over the past few months.

Christmas was always going to be a threat over any other time of year due to the nature of Irish people and the season coming after a difficult year. It coincided with the UK-identified strain of the virus arriving in the country. Was socialising through private gatherings and family homes the main source of infection that is responsible for our current position? Did we misread the threat or virulence of the UK-identified strain? The virus has mutated and new strains have been identified. There are different strains of flu annually so does Dr. Glynn anticipate there will be an annual vaccine for Covid-19 for older people or those with underlying conditions next winter and in following winters? Is this something that we hope will go away?

I have two questions for Mr. Woods afterwards.