Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions and for the challenges voiced. It made for an interesting discussion, which is important. On behalf of the Minister for Health, I thank the guests of the designated hotel facilities who continue to do what the legislation asked them to do. We know it was not easy. We put in a strict and comprehensive set of procedures at the designated facilities. The vast majority of the residents have co-operated with the challenging measures without question.

Deputy Berry asked if I could supply a definite end date. I hope this is the last time this legislation will need to be extended. As the Minister indicated, any further extensions would be proposed based on a strong public health rationale at the time.

Given the Covid-19 experiences in other countries, Ireland has done relatively well. This is partly due to the measures we have put in place, including mandatory hotel quarantine. Much credit is due to our front-line healthcare workers for their skill and dedication. They have been under enormous pressure for such a long time.

I thank the Departments of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Transport and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for their valuable assistance in the implementation of the mandatory hotel quarantine system. Many thanks are also due to An Garda Síochána, the Border Management Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau, the Revenue Commissioners, Customs and Excise, the HSE and the National Ambulance Service. Special thanks go to our Defence Forces for performing the important State liaison officer role.

Several questions were asked. I sought responses while I was here. I believe Deputies Fitzmaurice and Michael Healy-Rae talked about the appeals system. An average of 30 appeals are managed per day. The service operates seven days per week and the statutory turnaround time of 24 hours is being achieved without difficulty. A panel of barristers is in place that is well versed in the processing of appeals. The chief appeals officer role is now filled by an official within the Department of Health. As of 12 July, there were 2,839 appeals, 417 of which were granted and 2,422 of which were refused. This is a grant rate of 14%.

The same Deputies asked why only certain vaccines are being recognised in Ireland. Ireland's procedure for Covid-19 vaccines is based on participation in an EU procurement process and approval by the Commission following a recommendation by the EMA. Covid-19 vaccines can be approved and used only if they comply with all the requirements concerning quality, safety and efficiency set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. No vaccine will be used until market authorisation by the EMA is obtained, and any authorised vaccines will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. The delivery of vaccines under the advance purchase agreements that the Commission has negotiated on behalf of member states are predicated on a conditional marketing authorisation being obtained by the Commission. The awarding of the conditional marketing authorisation provides a high level of assurance that vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and meet the requirements of an independent regulatory process as regards demonstration.

I thank the staff of the port authorities, the DAA and our commercial partner, Tifco, which has provided accommodation infrastructure and support services of a high standard that have underpinned mandatory hotel quarantine.

These organisations have worked collaboratively with officials in the Department of Health to enable us to establish and manage the operational aspects of the hotel quarantine system to an incredibly high standard, and have helped us to maintain Ireland's strong response to the pandemic.

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