Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I wish to start with the positive news in the Minister's statement regarding nursing homes. It lifts the country's heart to see the effect of the vaccine roll out in nursing homes. Covid-19 has had a terrible effect on people in the nursing home setting so the progress there is very welcome.

We are at a crucial stage in terms of the next quarter and the vaccine roll out. I wish to ask about what is happening in Europe, particularly in terms of the vaccine policy framework. A number of countries including France, Germany and Hungary are seeking additional vaccine supply from outside the sources that have been approved by the EU. They are looking to Russia, China and even Cuba for vaccines that have been developed and approved there. Has the Minister been approached by the Russian authorities in relation to the Sputnik V vaccine? Has he been approached by the Chinese authorities? Would the Minister engage with such authorities regarding vaccine roll out and will it be possible to provide additional capacity in the future?

See this speech in context