Ms Elizabeth Canavan:

We have information available on gov.ieon the arrangements that are planned for 19 July and that is based on the current Government policy. That talks about EU and non-EU arrangements. The public health advice that underpins that is under constant review. Along with our public health colleagues, we are always looking at the developments with the progression of the disease and the variants, as is everyone across the world. As the Chairman knows, the Delta variant is now the dominant variant in Ireland. It is a different situation to when we were first looking at this policy. The Delta variant was in low numbers here at that time, although it was the dominant variant in the UK.

From 19 July, we will broadly align ourselves to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from third countries. We will be talking about a scenario where there might be an emergency break or where there is no emergency break. The EU proposal is that there would be a system whereby it would designate certain countries as having an emergency break. If there is no emergency break applied to a country and if a person has valid proof of vaccination, the current Government policy is that no travel related testing or quarantine will be necessary and if a person does not have a valid proof of vaccination he or she will need to present evidence of a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival into the country. They would have to self-quarantine and they will undergo post-arrival testing. If it is a country that the emergency break applies in and if the person has valid proof of vaccination, he or she will need to produce a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72-----