Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Glynn and the team. Vaccine hesitancy could creep into the population, given the decision of the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, on the AstraZeneca vaccine. Is Dr. Glynn concerned about this and should we be seeking an increased supply of other vaccine brands to combat it? I note today's decision of the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, in the US to recommend a pause of the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine while it investigates reports of blood clots.

The UK is seeing its largest surge in testing to date, as dozens of cases of the South African variant have been found in south London. Israel reported that this variant could break through the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine's protection. Has the South African variant reached our shores and what will the consequences be if it does? Early results from France show the major potential of the Valneva vaccine. According to Professor Luke O'Neill, they are unbelievable results. Is NPHET engaging with its French counterparts in that regard?

Across the water in the UK, pubs and restaurants are reopening. Has NPHET information or a roadmap on when the hospitality sector might reopen in Ireland and in what form that should take place?

I ask because businesses need to plan. Again, a balance must be struck between opening the economy and health concerns.