Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I sincerely thank everybody who is involved in the vaccination process from start to finish. We have a long way to go but we have made a start.

A few days ago I listened to a report on the TV about a care home where the process of vaccination had started. Everybody was delighted and happy. That is the way it should be but, unfortunately, it is not always the case. An example of that is Sligo University Hospital, in my constituency. The vaccination process started and then it stopped. The questions asked were whether it was patients and staff who were vaccinated and when the process would start again. Instead of people having clear and good information the priorities had switched to care homes for this week. People were left asking questions. People were frustrated and angry. I ask the Minister to do his best to ensure that in terms of the vaccinations we have good, clear communications about who, when and where. People may not always like it but at least they will understand it.

Even more so I ask the Minister also to clarify who in particular are front-line workers. People need to have a sense in their heads that this will be them at a particular point in time. That gives people comfort. Not knowing, seeing others getting vaccinated and asking why they themselves are not vaccinated angers people hugely. The process is important but the communication and the information around it are hugely so.

Finally, I ask the Minister to look again at people like family carers, those with Down's syndrome and people suffering from cystic fibrosis.. I know it is a medical decision. I am delighted it is not a political one but I ask that those who are in a position to make these decisions look very carefully at the impact of Covid-19 on those populations.

See this speech in context