Dr. Niamh Power:

The closer to departure that an antigen test can be taken, the more helpful it will be. There are all kinds of logistical issues with allowing people to be tested in time for their flights, so there probably has to be some compromise in that regard. Perhaps 24 hours would be good.

Regarding the point-of-care tests, neither rapid antigen tests nor rapid PCR tests are allowed by Ireland. It has to be a lab-based test. The beauty of these rapid tests is that they do not require a lab, so they can be conducted on site as the person is going onto his or her flight or just beforehand.

As for forgoing quarantine, Professor Mark Ferguson gave a great presentation to this committee a few weeks ago and spoke about some studies that had been carried out in the UK, which are also outlined in the report in his name. The studies found that serial daily antigen testing could replace quarantine and allow people to continue in their everyday life rather than quarantine, whether because they have arrived from another country or because they have been nominated as a close contact. We missed a trick with the leaving certificate, which is beginning today, where thousands of students who are stressed beyond their means might not be allowed to take their exams if they have been named as close contacts.