Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the chance to speak ahead of this important European Council meeting this weekend. I also welcome the Taoiseach's determination not to support an export ban on vaccines. Such a ban would be short term and irrational. It seems to be an attempt to deflect from proper scrutiny of what is really going on here. The weakness of the EU response to the issue of vaccination since this time last year is what we must scrutinise and learn from. It is from those lessons we should bring about changes for the future.

Regarding the difficulties being experienced in the roll-out of vaccinations, AstraZeneca has undoubtedly played a disgraceful role in this regard. The company has become the poster child for corporate arrogance in its approach to this situation and that is impacting citizens' lives. However, we should not do something which will potentially result in further difficulties down the line in respect of an export ban and how that might impact on the vaccination roll-out and vaccine production. Such an export ban could also impact on production more generally, not just in the European Union but in this country as one of the most open economies in the world. Let us instead focus on how we can resolve the specific issue and ensure that, if we are hit by another pandemic, and we may well be, or by any other major challenge, the EU will respond more effectively, urgently and clearly than it has in this case.

Some difficult decisions and discussion will arise regarding national competences and those borders and barriers we put in the way of sharing national competences. However, that can be done as a consequence of what has been learned from this pandemic and it should be done. I state that because this pandemic has shown the shortcomings of a country-by-country response. On this island, we have seen the shortcomings of a response to pandemic management which has been based on two jurisdictions. It is extraordinary that, 20 years ago this week, we were able to have an all-island approach to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, but two decades later we have been unable to do so during this Covid-19 pandemic. Let us look back, therefore, at what was learned in 2001 and apply that approach to the rest of the 21st century.

I wish the Taoiseach well. It is important he holds his and Ireland's ground regarding an export ban. It will not resolve the situation. It is important we call out AstraZeneca on its appalling and arrogant behaviour. It is also important, however, that there is self-reflection within the European Commission regarding its response, not just concerning the roll-out of vaccinations but also the pandemic generally. The Commission should not seek to deflect attention away from that aspect of the situation.

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