Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I am familiar with the work to which Deputy Gormley referred but I do not agree with that conclusion. We have a detailed twofold plan that specifies how the various aspects of the public would deal with a specific emergency and provides a number of specific disease-related plans for dealing with an outbreak of pandemic influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, smallpox and so on. Therefore, I am confident we would be able to deal with that. Mr. Tom Clonan, for whom I have great regard is not accurate in that assessment. On the possible outbreak of an influenza pandemic, the answer is that I am satisfied. The position with anti-virals is that the Government has decided we need sufficient stocks to cater for about 25% of the population initially. That would be about a million shots. We have 600,000 already and are expecting delivery of another 400,000. There is a pharmaceutical ingredient called oseltamivir phosphate powder, which is designed to treat children between the ages of one and five. We are awaiting delivery of a substantial consignment. It has been agreed that additional supplies of the other suitable antiviral drug, Relenza, should be stockpiled. Arrangements for the purchases of this additional stock are being finalised. The timeframe for delivery is under discussion with the suppliers.

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