David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For July. Obviously, that is an important start, but what we need to know then is where we stand in the following months. Getting that age cohort vaccinated is going to be key to ensuring that we can have a safe reopening everywhere, which we all want to see. It is important to outline not only information on those vaccines but also on the supply chains for the coming months. When the Government comes back with its plan for reopening – let us hope it is a plan for everybody – it would make sense that it be underpinned by an accelerated vaccine roll-out that will not be the victim of the type of supply difficulties and challenges we saw in the past, that will be sustainable and that will happen. There is a major concern regarding what occurred in recent weeks.

May I advocate that we look at antigen testing as an option as well? Nobody has ever said that antigen testing can be a replacement for PCR testing. I understand the points that have been made time and again by the CMO, but he has never said he is against antigen testing. What he said is that it is not a replacement for PCR, but antigen testing does have a role to play. Months ago, the European Commission set out very clear terms and ways in which antigen testing could be used. We were looking for antigen testing to be rolled out on flights as a pilot scheme in order that we could learn from it. This is something that must be examined.

When looking at the fastest return to indoor hospitality, we must examine indoor ventilation and air filtration. That must be part of the solution as well. I hope that when the Minister and his Government colleagues sit down to engage with the industry, the discussions will focus on the acceleration of the vaccine roll-out, potentially antigen testing, PCR testing, indoor ventilation and air filtration.

Before I hand over to my colleague, I will use my final minute and 40 seconds to raise with the Minister the harrowing "RTÉ Investigates" programme that aired last night. Many of us in this Chamber were members of the Covid committee that met some months ago. We compiled a report on this matter and we heard from advocate organisations, care champions, the Irish Association of Social Workers and others who were raising these issues for many months. They raised very real concerns about neglect in some nursing homes and care homes because of the major challenges Covid presented in those locations at a particular time. I echo the call made by the committee: something the Government must consider is a full public inquiry that puts the families of the bereaved first and also survivors in nursing homes as well, and people who worked through all of that. It was all rehearsed – there were major staff shortages of between 50% and 80% in some care homes and some residents did not get the care they needed, sometimes for days. How could people have got the proper care when one considers that was what was happening? Phones were not answered. People were not able to see their loved ones die. They were not able to get information on what was happening. We all accept that it was harrowing. I am not apportioning blame, what I am saying is that we need a full inquiry into the matter. I hope that is something the Minister will support.

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