John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The Tánaiste stated that the plan would be published once finalised. When does she expect that the document will be finalised, and what has been the delay? We have been told that the consultants refused to meet. Does that continue to hinder the progress of the pandemic expert group? Who are the priority groups? The Tánaiste mentioned those most vulnerable, but are we also talking about emergency staff, the gardaí and so on? Would it include Members and Ministers? How far does it go in the context of getting those extra doses of Tamiflu? Will the ordinary person have to go out and buy it? For what price is it retailing? Does the Tánaiste agree that we simply could not cope with a pandemic, given the major crisis in our accident and emergency units which look like a war zone? Does she agree with the assessment of the pandemic expert group that up to 26,000 people would need treatment and that 11,000 people in the Republic could die? Will she explain to the House the disparity between the figure that 11,000 people in the Republic could die and the statement yesterday by Dr. Lorraine Doherty, senior medical officer in the Northern Ireland health department, that 36,000 people could die in Northern Ireland? Does she agree with me that there is much confusion surrounding the figures we have been given? Does she agree also that co-operation between North and South is required on this issue? What measures has the Tánaiste taken to co-operate with our colleagues in Northern Ireland? If Ireland does not cope with this pandemic, will she consider that a resigning matter?

See this speech in context