Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The comments were not on the amendment, which is what I want to address. For clarity, the regulations will provide for up to 72 hours for a PCR test and 48 hours for an antigen test. We have had a 72-hour requirement for PCR tests for some time. Regardless, therefore, of the regulations we bring in tonight, the current rules are that, for those 12 years or older, someone who is unvaccinated and who has not had Covid within the past six months has to get a PCR test within 72 hours of coming in. We are already doing that. For those people, the regulations today will not change anything. They change something for those who are vaccinated or who have recently recovered.

The closer to the flight, the better. The fact it is 72 hours rather than 48 hours is purely an operational consideration for people. It can take some time. A person has to book a PCR test, wait for it and wait for a result, and it is not always possible. We can imagine a situation where somebody is trying to get it within 48 hours of a flight taking off, and it is just not possible to do. The closer to the flight, the better. It is to leave time to ensure the test can happen.

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