Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and welcome the comprehensive statement on the EU Covid-19 travel certificate. I understand July is being considered but I ask that it be introduced as soon as possible. I, too, have been contacted by pilots, staff and their families. We have to be very careful and I know we must take the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, but we must also be mindful of aviation.

I ask the Minister about the new travel certificate format. My understanding is that there will be a paper or digital format. In the case of the digital format, however, many constituents have contacted me to find out if it would be possible to access this certificate through a mobile telephone, perhaps with an app. No information has been given and the same applies with regard to the paper document. Should we use a credit card format? It is important that we consider that. I also appreciate that we must be mindful of people who do not get the vaccine. We need to ensure we get this right and information and timing will also be very important.

Another concern I have is the consideration of there being three separate and distinct certificates for travel, including certification of a negative test, certification of vaccination and a certificate to confirm a person is recovering from infection. Will the Minister of State clarify whether the digital certificate will incorporate all three of those certifications or whether a person will have to carry separate certificates? This will be coming into operation in only a few weeks - the sooner the better - and I ask that people are told as soon as possible what is happening.

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