Professor Mary Keogan:

There is a technical working group meeting more than weekly to review the antigen test and update the list. As more evidence becomes available, more tests may be added. Some may be removed from the list. This is a living document and it will move with the science. As regards whether antigen testing will be accepted for entry into Ireland, that is a Government decision, but many member states have not declared that they will accept antigen testing. It is not for me to say whether the antigen tests on the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety list will be accepted.

I refer to the question on validation. Reference was made to costs. It is really important to be aware that although the reagents to do an antigen test are cheap, the technical scientific time is expensive. The cost of PCR tests is actually decreasing to much closer to the cost of getting a professional to do an antigen test.