Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and his officials. I will continue on the use of antigen testing. I welcome the Minister's view that he can see widespread domestic applications for antigen testing. That would represent a sea change in the Government's approach to antigen testing, which I would welcome. The Minister referred to the meeting we had with NPHET about antigen testing. NPHET agreed with and supported an initiative to open an air corridor that was supported with antigen testing. I encourage the Minister to get involved in that along with NPHET, the Department of Health and the airlines, to make it happen. We depend on air travel as an island nation and antigen testing can make that happen in a safer manner. I encourage the Minister to look at that again and make sure it happens. He should engage with the airlines, NPHET and the Department of Health to establish that pilot as soon as possible. Will the Minister comment on that?