Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have had much discussion on capacity as regards testing, tracing and isolating. We have a particular problem with regard to tracing at this point. Regardless of what happened in the past, this needs to be remedied. I have particular questions about rapid testing. Approximately two weeks ago, the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, spoke here about a number of pilots that were being carried out in parallel with polymerase chain reaction, PCR, testing for antigen. What is the set-up with that? We also know about the National Virus Reference Laboratory, NVRL, doing testing with regard to loop-mediated isothermal amplification, LAMP. I really want to know about those antigen pilots. What is the timeline and the methodology in the context of validation? These will add to our capacity as regards dealing with the problems relating to air travel and also those relating to schools. We need quicker turnaround.

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