Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

A couple of weeks ago, the Taoiseach met with his fellow European leaders to discuss the role of antigen testing, pursuant to the Commission's proposal. Antigen testing is not a medical diagnosis and it is not an alternative to polymerase chain reaction, PCR, testing, but it does offer benefits, particularly in screening. Everybody is concerned, particularly the Chief Medical Officer, CMO, about the potential effects of people mixing this Christmas. Will the Taoiseach consider State provision of rapid antigen tests that people can carry out themselves in advance of Christmas? This would allow people to screen to see whether they pose a particular risk and, if they do, to take the required measures. It offers a huge possibility of reducing the spread of Covid-19 over the Christmas period. I appreciate that antigen testing is not a magic bullet or an alternative to PCR testing. However, this kind of mass screening could have a huge advantage in curtailing hugely the spread of Covid-19 at Christmas.

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