Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The first big failure in tackling this virus was the failure to keep ahead of it when the numbers were low. The Government never got test and trace right. It was never used to full effect. It did not get travel checks right, and it certainly did not get the all-Island response right. Most people outside of government believe that a maximum suppression strategy is the only way to crush this virus. The key ingredients to achieve suppression are test, trace, isolate and vaccinate. Test controls at airports, mandatory quarantine for all incoming travellers and a strong, all-island approach are required.

We also need to know what will happen come 5 March 2021 for the rest of the year. What we do not need are contradictory messages from Ministers or half-baked measures that do not go far enough. The Government seems to add to the confusion and anxiety on a weekly basis. With all the confusion and contradictory messages, it is constantly adding to people's anxiety. All the ingredients for a maximum suppression strategy have always been there. The failure has been down to the lack of capacity and the failure of the Government to prepare for any possible resurgence in the virus.

I accept that the supply of vaccines is outside of the Government's control but many questions are being asked about the process, and no answers are coming from the Minister or the Government. There are 2,500 pharmacists. There has been little or no communication with them. They are supposed to be involved in the roll-out of the vaccines for the over 70s. They have still no idea what part they are going to play in this process. In respect of the ICT system, work only started on it a month ago. It should have been started six months ago. It was left until the last minute. Why was work not started on that during the summer? How can we register people without having a proper ICT system in place?

The health committee was told yesterday that there are serious problems with the initial roll-out. We do not even know if it will be fit for purpose. We do not know where the 15 mass vaccination centres will be located. We have no idea how many staff will be required. Even front-line staff do not know what is happening. For example, there are hundreds of front-line staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda who still have not got their vaccinations. This is the sort of Government incoherence we are dealing with and it is not fair. It certainly is not fair on front-line staff.

From the get-go, the Government never got travel right. The guidance in this regard was always just advisory and there was never any enforcement. The discretionary element meant it was obvious that the strategy was never going to work. We need mass testing and quarantining for all non-essential travel. People have been saying that for months. We need a crystal-clear definition of essential travel and essential work. Back in May, when NPHET recommended mandatory quarantine, the Tánaiste at the time openly challenged the soundness of its advice. Here we are now with the current rate of infections. There should be testing of incoming passengers prior to arrival and five days afterwards. That will send out a clear message. As it stands, introducing mandatory quarantining will take weeks.

The Minister for Health has been on the back foot all along on these issues. Again, it is down to incoherence and his failure to implement a clear maximum suppression strategy to crush this virus. That goes back to the Minister and the Government. He needs to get his act together and set out a clear plan to end the confusion and anxiety.

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