Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is no problem.

I thank the Commissioner for his very detailed response to Deputy Howlin. The Commissioner mentioned the stark failure of AstraZeneca to meet its commitments to the European Union. I welcome his comments during the week that future orders should look to the companies that have been successful and that have stood by their contracts. Much credit must go to Pfizer BioNTech which has done so much heavy lifting for all across the EU and particularly Ireland. What ramifications will there be post pandemic for companies which have failed, through questionable means, to meet their contractual obligations to the citizens of the EU in vaccine delivery, which is so vital in returning life and society to normal as well as, crucially, saving lives?

The Commissioner said that 12 member states are comfortable they will be able to achieve 70% roll-out and I have no doubt Ireland will be one of those. What tools will the EU deploy to ensure solidarity across the EU and, indeed, the wider world? Until all are vaccinated, the virus will remain a massive threat to the whole world.