Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand where the Minister is coming from but I respectfully suggest it would actually do the opposite. We would all see it transparently. We could not be called hypocrites in this House because we would know we were receiving vaccines and we would know that everyone projected honestly based on the timelines they had at the moment those projections were stated publicly. Once that changed we could see it. I would say the Minister should not do it daily but once a week, every Monday, every Friday or whatever. I urge the Minister to take this suggestion on board for the very simple reason that it would help everyone. It would help in politics because we would have to say honestly how it had changed and it would be transparent. We would not be second-guessing the Minister or the HSE. I ask the Minister to take this on board. It would really help the HSE also.

I will ask my next questions together. The Minister hit on my next question earlier. If we could get AstraZeneca approved for those aged over 70 it would change things and help with the timelines. When does the Minister expect that NIAC will update him on the use of AstraZeneca? I am not saying it will change its advice but I hope it will do so. When does the Minister see pharmacists in particular getting involved in vaccinations? I believe their role could be dialled up. Their access to the public and knowledge of the public and patients is pretty important.

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