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

I am pleased to hear that, like many people, the Tánaiste is open to the real possibility - in my view it is a certainty - that vitamin D supplementation may help. The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that a cause-and-effect relationship has been established between dietary intake of vitamin D and normal functioning of the immune system. The Tánaiste has mentioned this. We know that we do not have enough sunshine in this part of the world to ensure a sufficient dietary intake. Vitamin D protects the immune system, which is the single most important weapon we have to protect us against Covid-19. It is more important than masks, social distancing and so on. Our immune system protects our bodies. I ask the Tánaiste to give the strongest possible consideration to looking at the possibility that supplementation with vitamin D, along with all of the other measures, could help to protect our citizens.

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