Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have some questions for Mr. Moloney about the vaccination centres. People understand that a lot of the procurement rules had to be set aside due to the speed and nature of the pandemic. We have been aware for six or seven months that vaccination centres would be needed and a number of organisations did offer their premises for use as vaccination centres. In England and other countries, churches, cathedrals and various locations have been used as centres but not so in this country and these places were offered for use free of charge or just to cover costs. Mr, Moloney has confirmed that his body has a seat on the high-level body that deals with this matter. For example, the Protestant churches offered their venues. Why was this offer not availed of? There has been talk that these venues might not be suitable and hygiene has been mentioned. Some community facilities would be of the same standard or maybe higher than some of the hotels and so on that are being used. I want a straight answer as to why community and church facilities were not availed of.