Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach. I will keep my questions brief.

My first question pertains to wealthier countries which are hoarding vaccines. Canada, a high-income country, currently has enough vaccines to vaccinate its population several times over, yet it is hoarding some of its vaccines. It still intends to secure 1.9 million vaccines through the COVAX system. Will the witnesses comment on wealthier nations hoarding vaccines? What can we do to stop that practice and what will be the outcome if it persists?

As part of the COVAX initiative, pharmaceutical companies have pledged that no country will receive vaccines for more than 20% of the population until every country has enough supply to vaccinate 20% of its population. Currently, we are well off target, with 16% of the world's population having received 60% of the vaccine supply. Pfizer has only supplied 2% of its vaccines to COVAX. I ask Ms Byanyima or Dr. Nabarro what steps are being taken to ensure that pharmaceutical companies fulfil their pledges to the COVAX initiative.

Many international NGOs, including Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF, have called for a relaxation of intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines and technologies to ensure the scaling up of production and access in the global south. What steps should the Government be taking, be that independently, as part of the EU or through our role on the UN Security Council, to press pharmaceutical companies to open up intellectual property or support initiatives such as the C-TAP?