Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What the hell is going on with antigen testing? Last October, I was the first person to raise this in the Dáil. It is so long ago that the Dáil was sitting in Leinster House. I use these tests every week after I return from Dublin in order to protect those around me. Professor Nolan's comments about snake oil were totally inappropriate and unwarranted. I understand the Chief Medical Officer has written to the Government on its comments on antigen testing on Monday. There is complete confusion out there. We use these tests for hauliers and we deem them good enough for hauliers. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, is depending on these tests being rolled out in order for third level institutions to come back in September. A whole range of other actors across a range of industries are dependent on the roll-out of these tests. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Health have made positive comments on antigen tests, yet we have absolute confusion and a lack of authority and consistency of approach on how they will be used. They are being used across the world. We know they are only one tool but they are an important tool. The mixed messaging coming from the public health teams and the Government has to stop. We need consistency in our approach.

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