Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Nollaig shona daoibh go léir. I am told I test the patience of others more than most, so thanks, apologies and best wishes to the Ceann Comhairle, all the Oireachtas staff, the Tánaiste and all Members.

I raise the issue of the TRIPS waiver. The Seanad has spoken. Experts have told us the EU is involved in a stalling tactic. We know what Mary Robinson has said. We are told the existing provision for compulsory licensing will not do the business. We are only talking about that dealing with the patent aspects of intellectual property. We would still have considerable issues over trade details and secrets. We would be dealing with the matter with a patent-by-patent and country-by-county approach, and that would not work. COVAX is not going to cut the mustard. The Government needs to follow the Seanad. I ask that the Tánaiste and the Government would meet with experts such as the People's Vaccine Alliance. We need to act now. We are dealing with Omicron and whatever comes next.

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