Professor Mark Ferguson:

It is necessary to do both. One can definitely learn from the experience of other people and what they will say about matters I have already told the committee about, such as serial testing. It is also necessary to do the pilot because the logistics and IT system need to be in place, as well as the people within the Health Service Executive or on the ground in whatever airport is chosen in Ireland and so on. There are two parts to it. The logistics part needs to be done and there is a need to learn from other people.

I am not certain about what I am about to say, but as far as I know the UK has commenced those studies.

I am aware of the modelling work done for SAGE and have read the report, which is in the public domain. My understanding is that the UK pilots have just started so this would be a very opportune moment to take part in those, for example, in the way suggested by the previous Deputy in the context of a UK-to-Ireland flight. That is the answer. It involves logistics and learning.