Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that this is just a process of trying to get information out to people. As regards the Tánaiste's response, it is reasonable that the Government will tell us on Friday, as long as it is Friday, what the expected level of first and second doses by the end of June is. That is reasonable and I have no issue with it. I am concerned, however, about one part of the Tánaiste's reply, namely, whether NPHET was fully aware of the issues regarding vaccine delivery when giving the advice upon the basis of which the Government is making the decisions it will announce on Friday. The Tánaiste has been clear that he does not know whether NPHET was aware of those issues,. That will create a level of anxiousness among the public. That is a concern, particularly as we all want society to reopen.

I stress that the Government must ask NIAC or NPHET to state, in a comprehensive way, why they are not considering, from a scientific point of view, reducing the interval between first and second doses for those aged 60 to 69. I have been inundated with messages from people all over the country in respect of this matter since I first raised it. It is a genuine concern. I am not qualified in respect of this matter, so I would appreciate if NIAC would make that advice public. Will the Tánaiste ask it to do so?

See this speech in context