Mr. Paul Reid:

First, I acknowledge the massive work done by the Defence Forces with the HSE since the start of the pandemic in contact tracing, swabbing centres, nursing home support and in vaccination centres throughout the country. The Defence Forces have been there for us at every level of need and continue to be there. I thank them very publicly. I work very closely with the Chief of Staff, Mark Mellett.

From a technical or prioritisation perspective, in essence, they fall into key workers, which is a later group. NIAC is now looking at putting some of those groupings ahead. Legitimate cases are being made by many in the workforce, including the Garda, those in education, teachers, etc. That is a process NIAC will look at for the prioritisation of that cohort coming forward.