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

First, the most effective way to get the world vaccinated is through licensing of technology and building up capacity and know-how in terms of the production of vaccines. The European Union has pledged €1 billion to developing production facilities and know-how in Africa so that Africa can begin producing its own medicines. That, to me, is a very sensible and pragmatic way of trying to give capacity to countries that cannot, as we speak, develop medicines or, indeed, vaccines.

Ireland is one of the countries in the world that has a very advanced state of knowledge and know-how in respect of medicine production, research and vaccines. I am delighted that the mRNA drug substance is now being developed at Grange Castle in the Pfizer facility there.

The pharmaceutical companies, as a result of this discussion, have pledged very significant amounts to developing countries and to poorer countries. That is extremely important. I think that Europe-----

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