Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As we come into the winter period, we will always have an increase in respiratory illnesses. We have this conversation every year; it is like déjà vu. The problem is not that we are in the winter period or the flu period but that the Government has not planned. It has not planned for increased capacity and, therefore, in most of the State people cannot get an appointment for a PCR test today.

I echo the comments the Tánaiste made on the public health advice.

People should follow that advice. However, as we ask the public to step up, as we ask people to make sacrifices, isolate themselves, stay away from family and curtail their contacts, as we ask people who work in the night-time sector to close down that sector during specific periods, people are also asking the Government to step up and to respond. We need to increase capacity and have an approach that is all hands on deck. There is no guarantee that, in January, we will not have additional need for PCR tests. Where is the plan for additional capacity in order that people in these counties can book a test if they need one?

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