Mr. Paul Reid:

The direct engagements happen between Department officials at supplier level and at EU level, sometimes with the high-level task force. I can reassure the Deputy that in the context of AstraZeneca, delivery of which has been significantly impacted in the past couple of weeks, a very strong level of engagement happens regularly. Thankfully, it has recently put in place a country manager to manage the Irish relationship, which we welcome. In fairness to the likes of Pfizer BioNTech we have had stable supplies from it and it has a dedicated company and country manager here who, by coincidence, happens to be named Paul Reid also. We engage with them directly and regularly. That supply level has been stable, with one exception earlier on and we would hope to see that continue.

On the Deputy's question about the contract and arbitration, contract negotiations happen at an EU level. Again, this is something the Government has escalated. I am aware that the Taoiseach has raised the issue regularly at EU Council meetings, up to and including quite recently. These are matters on which the Government will intervene.