Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

How many times has the Government and the task force, individually, met or spoken to all four companies? This is critical information, of which, respectfully, I think the Minister should be aware.

I have two more questions, which I will ask together. Last week, I asked the Minister if he would consider doing the following for one week. This is about transparency. Transparency is the Minister's friend. Can we get, on a weekly basis, in tabular form and in respect of each of the four companies, the projected or expected contractual delivery to our country; the actual contracted delivery; the number of doses delivered; and the number administered? That would of benefit to the Minister because it would provide transparency. I do not understand why the Minister will not do this. There is a great deal of innuendo and commentary, ifs and buts and, dare I say it, at times, unfortunately, and, probably accidentally, Ministers are making statements that are not accurate. Consequently, transparency would be the Minister's friend. Why will he not do as I have asked and set out the information across three columns in respect of the four companies?

My final question is in regard to the dates, which I have asked numerous times but I have never been fully satisfied with the answer. We know that Germany and Denmark bought up excess vaccines. The Taoiseach told me yesterday that Ireland always tried to buy any vaccines available. I have asked that question of others and the response was the same. On what dates did Ireland try to buy the excess vaccines that Denmark and Germany bought that were not being used in other countries?

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