Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the information given to the committee by Mr. Reid and his colleagues. I congratulate them all, particularly those on the front line, on the dramatic reduction in the incidence of the virus and the brilliant fight against the disease, very often while facing criticism from many quarters. It is like working in a goldfish bowl and everybody has an answer. Those at the centre have to do the work and I congratulate everybody involved. It has been a tremendous example of what can be done.

From here on in, the crucial issue will be the extent to which vaccines remain available to this country. Can we be assured that it will not be necessary for our guests to review their projections? When expectations are reviewed downwards, it is disappointing to the general public, although understandable. Such a review may be caused by a lack of supply and that does not resonate all that well with the public.