Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One challenge we are facing right now when it comes to Covid suppression strategy is the lack of clear and determined decision-making. Kite-flying is all we seem to be getting.

Like many others present, I find it frustrating to be given fake answers to questions I submit on the roll-out of the vaccine and on quarantine or to be told that urgent details are yet to be decided. When seeking clarity on the various tiers in the vaccination programme, I too often have been issued with a standard response that does not relate to my question. For example, group 6 is still undefined. Childcare workers were said to be in this group, and then they were not. Carers are dispersed through various groups and people with disabilities are also uncertain about where they are included. When I submitted a parliamentary question asking whether pharmacist assistants will be vaccinated alongside pharmacists in the roll-out, all I got was a stock response with no reference to pharmacists at all. Instead, I was told to look at the vaccine allocation strategy on the gov.iewebsite.

Recently, I asked if travellers coming into the country who have to restrict their movements will be provided with secure transport from their arrival point to their residence or accommodation so as not to risk spreading Covid-19 on public transport. The response I received was that "The implementation of Government measures concerning international travel quarantine and supporting regulations are being worked through". That means more delay.

Sinn Féin has been consistent in advocating a maximum suppression strategy for Covid-19. We need to crush this virus and keep the numbers down. We would aim to keep numbers low while facilitating, where possible, the reopening of schools and aspects of the economy, all guided by speedy and full implementation of public health advice. Socially, we have consistently pressed for proper supports for families and businesses and moratoriums for mortgage and rent payers. We advocate a robust trace, isolate and vaccination programme, which the Government has failed to use to effectively hunt down the virus. There is no serial testing in hospitals until after the outbreak.

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