Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have been raising the necessity of rapid antigen testing at a political level since last January. To be honest, I have been baffled by the sluggish response from the HSE and NPHET. It is very regrettable that such a valuable tool in our battle against Covid has not been advanced. Hopefully, the work of the committee today can help to facilitate matters in that regard.

Can Professor Ferguson confirm whether an antigen test detects both symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers? My position on this is very simple. The test is easy to perform, generates rapid results and is relatively cheap. It should be used in the construction industry, the hospitality and retail sectors and schools. I am aware that a pilot project is under way in the context of construction. Many private companies are using antigen testing very effectively. Such testing is widely accepted across Europe. It is advanced in the UK, Germany, France and Italy. All across Europe, huge orders are being placed with companies manufacturing antigen tests. My concern is that we will end up like we did with PPE at the start of the pandemic and manufacturing capacity will be full by the time we make a decision.

I am not happy about the delays in respect of this matter. I raised it with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment last week. As part of his response, he stated that the Government endorsed Professor Ferguson's report and that there were differences of opinion between scientists and public health doctors. Could Professor Ferguson explain what these differences are and whether we can overcome them? The political will to roll out antigen testing is there but there is resistance within NPHET and at senior level in the medical profession to this being deployed.