Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have two blocks of two questions; I only have four questions. I want to ask something I had not intended but it is based on the Minister's response to a previous questioner. On the maternity services, there seems to be a direct contradiction between what the Minister said and what Mr. Paul Reid said an hour and a half ago. Mr. Reid said: "We believe the conditions are right that restrictions should be lifted" [in maternity units nationwide]. That seems pretty black and white.

I raised the issue earlier of Gary Toohey and his partner, Joyce Tooher, who are neighbours of mine. At this moment, he is actually outside the maternity hospital in Limerick. I know the maternity hospital. I have been there many times myself, luckily enough. Mr. Toohey is on social media at the moment thinking what Paul Reid said means the restrictions have been lifted. This is heartbreaking. It is so emotional. I know these two young people and their families. Let us forget about the politics and all the rubbish we do here. We have to give these couples some consistency and compassion, please.

Last week, Dr. Colm Henry said something and it was not followed through. I thought the Taoiseach said something and it was not followed through. Paul Reid has said it now. I do not want to go back to these couples and say again that it is not going to happen. Joyce is literally in labour at the moment and there are hundreds of other people like her this week. Whatever we do collectively, can we please show some compassion and sort this out?

I have two sets of questions. I am not trying to catch the Minister out with them. When will he make a decision on the HSE's recent application for whatever it is, the 27th or 28th version, on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for under-50s? I have no problem with the fact that happens. I genuinely have no problem because it is doing its best. I believe the HSE is doing a good job. When will the Minister going actually give a decision as regards the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for under-50s, however? I believe it is a critical decision. I know the HSE is waiting on this. The domino effect has an impact all the way down the line so we need a quick decision. When will the Minister do that?

Second, I received the Minister's figure of 77% regarding the 60 to 69-year-olds. I understand that leaves more than 100,000 people who have not been vaccinated. The concern used to be vaccine hesitancy. The issue I am now genuinely hearing from people is that because they are getting the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has a 16-week wait until the second dose, they are afraid they will not be able to qualify for the green travel certificate. Can the Minister give them some comfort on that?

I have two more questions. First, however, when will the Minister make the decision? Second, can we give genuine comfort to the 60 to 69-year-olds who are getting the AstraZeneca vaccine that they will be able to travel like everyone else?

See this speech in context