David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My point is that for us to be hopeful, and for people listening - Dr. Glynn acknowledged the frustration - what are the milestones or staging posts that must be reached? Before Professor Nolan comes in I wish to bring up an additional point Dr. Glynn made in his letter to the Minister. He said that: "Vaccination will significantly and quickly reduce risk over a short period of time from May 2021 to August 2021." He also said that: "It will [...] reduce mortality when those over 70 are fully vaccinated but will initially have a smaller effect on hospitalisation and critical care until the wider adult population, especially vulnerable adults and those aged 50-69 years, are protected...". Is that the type of staging post or milestone we must reach?

Are there numbers of people we need to see vaccinated before we can see what the witnesses called the "widespread easing of restrictions"?