Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy very much indeed for that thoughtful presentation. We will initiate and ensure the State does formally recognise the work of Covid volunteers.

I have met many of them in the vaccination centres. The vaccination programme has been unprecedented and very professionally operated, with more than 3.5 million doses now administered. It is an extraordinary achievement so far and we have a long way to go yet. We are highly appreciative of the important work where volunteers across the country have participated in the test centres and vaccination centres. I noted the very moving testimonies of Covid vaccine volunteers recently published in The Irish Times. I thank them all. We will explore and work with the Deputy and others in terms of devising the best mechanisms to recognise this outstanding act of volunteerism in the time of our country's need.

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