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

The hallmark of her position from the outset has been one of running with the hare and hunting with the hound. She has undermined NPHET advice at different stages of the pandemic, with calls for pubs to be opened in advance of any advice, then rushing to get the airports closed and then rushing to get them opened again. It has been the classic presentation from the Deputy from the get-go.

I want to keep this in perspective, however. If we look at where we are now, connectivity has reopened and travel into and out of the country is happening. Hospitality, personal services, sports events, schools, construction and childcare have all reopened at a time when we have 4,500 thousand cases daily. The challenge now, as we move through different phases of the pandemic, is that we must assess the most appropriate response to that increased socialisation. Thousands of people have been brought back to work because of a very effective and successful vaccination programme that the Deputy lacks the generosity of spirit to acknowledge. That is a fact. The people have stood up and were counted by coming forward and getting vaccinated.

The effectiveness of the vaccines is waning; that is a global phenomenon. There will be a need for a booster campaign and close to 400,000 people have already received a booster vaccination. I do not know if it is the Deputy’s position that we should just simply up end the process that we have for recommending the use of vaccines. Is the Deputy saying to me that the advisory processes we have should be put to one side? If so, I ask the Deputy please to say that and not just do the generalisation of attacking the Government because it suits on each and every occasion.

The difference between the booster program and the primary vaccination programme is that the booster programme will take place five months - the recommendation is six months but can be given after five months - after people's second doses and not sooner than that. The advice, from the European Medicines Agency, EMA, or nationally, does not allow for it earlier, unless people are in one of the eligible categories, such as those who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It is a period of three months for people in those eligible categories who are advised and recommended to get a booster vaccination. The national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, keeps this continually under review.

In the Dáil, yesterday, I outlined the various sectors and categories now involved in the booster campaign, from the residents of long-term care facilities aged over 65, who were substantially completed by the end of October; to the residents of long-term care aged under 65, who will be completed by early to mid-December; to healthcare workers who will be completed by the end of December; and then those aged 80 and older, who will be done by mid-November. The programme continues with those aged 70 to 79, followed by those aged 60 to 69 and now those aged over 50 have now been advised-----

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