Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the fact that so many people could not access PCR tests and he told me that this was not a problem. Today, there are no PCR tests available in 14 counties according to the HSE's portal. There are no PCR tests available in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry, Laois, Louth and Leitrim.

For people experiencing symptoms or in a household where someone is experiencing symptoms, not being able to access these tests is frustrating and frightening for people. Indeed, many have had to travel up to four hours to access a test. That is not acceptable.

I want to know what is the Taoiseach doing about this and how we have allowed this to come to pass at a time where a surge was predicted. The surge has arrived and we find people left in these situations.

Let the Taoiseach not tell me that this is not an issue. It is a big issue for people across the State.

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