John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the previous speakers in complimenting those who are on the front line in the delivery of the vaccines. I include those who are close to that front line and are managing it and so on. There is a growing confidence about the vaccines and a growing desire among a lot of people to have a vaccine and to have it delivered as soon as possible. However, there is an issue around how we deliver that message. The message has been confusing at the best of times. We must be clear on our messaging. We must inform people of what we expect is going to come, then we must inform them as to what is here and has arrived and out of what arrives who is going to be vaccinated next. People are watching this space very carefully because this is a health issue for them and they want to see that clarity. In the case of people who have received their first vaccination and have got an appointment for the second jab that appointment should be kept, not cancelled. There is a fear that it very well may be, so I would like to hear some clarity around that particular question for those people.

I am disappointed that we continue to hold the position that we will not deal with carers, those who are involved in the front line of education or Garda members. In order to gain the confidence of everyone we need to listen to what they are asking and to understand it, even to the extent that those who may not want a particular vaccine might be encouraged by the evidence to look at the vaccine they have been allocated or where that is not possible, that another vaccine should be considered for them. Therefore, I ask the Minister to listen more carefully to what is being said in this House and indeed in parliamentary party meetings. It may be a different point of view than his own or that of all the professionals he listens to but it is a point of view and if we want to bring the people with us that is what we must do.

Having one voice, in relation to the messaging, would be helpful. I appreciate that the Minister has his shadow Minister from his own constituency on his shoulder and that we have three parties in Government but we must respect the people and in respecting them we must respect their concerns and their issues.

On the reopening, I ask the Minister to look at the whole issue of religious ceremonies, at masses, prayers at the mosque and so on because it is hugely important for the mental health and well-being of people.

I ask the Minister to look at the mental health issues which are arising now and the fact that people cannot get appointments to be assessed, cannot get appointments to have their medication reassessed and are facing into a very dark space when they do not hear the Government speaking to their cases and making the appropriate changes necessary for their care.

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