Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Conway for allowing me to contribute first and the committee for its indulgence. I thank Dr. Ní Bhriain for coming before the committee this morning.

I am a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, community and am involved with our group in the Oireachtas as well. I welcome a number of points, including that the category of people who will be vaccinated will be broadened, as well as the intradermal route of administration.

I am disappointed with the overall reaction of the HSE and the Department of Health to this crisis for a number of reasons. First, the roll-out of the primary prevention vaccination has been far too slow. Second, I do not see any evidence we have increased our availability of supply. Compared to other European countries, we lag behind in supply. I have three questions about the decision to start on 17 October 2022. Why wait until that date to begin? I raised a Commencement matter in the Seanad with the Minister on 20 September. I received almost the same reply today as I did then regarding what we are doing as a country. We do not seem to have increased the supply. Can Dr. Ní Bhriain answer the point first and then explain the start date of 17 October? As regards the risk group, has the HSE considered using the pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, list for example?