Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House. I commend her on her work on trying to ensure that adult respite services remain open during this difficult period and also that day care services for children with special needs are open. I agree with the sentiments Senator Flynn expressed.It is important that we ensure that provision is made for those children and their families. I worry about the levels of regression that are happening. We must make sure that they remain a priority. I also agree with Senator Flynn on our approach to overseas aid. It is important that vaccines are made available in the developing world and are not seen as the preserve of the wealthy western world.

I echo the comments of Senator Clifford-Lee on the Irish language and the comments of Senator Conway on braille. I have asked on a number of occasions that information campaigns be conducted in other languages. I am thinking in particular of Polish and Portuguese for a variety of reasons. It is essential, given the multicultural nature of our society now, where English or Irish is not somebody's first language, that we have information campaigns available in more than one language.

The EU strategy has been correct. We need more European co-operation in the health area. If we did not have European co-operation, countries would fight against each other to get a supply of vaccines. I welcome the fact that President von der Leyen is holding AstraZeneca to account. It has to deliver on the contract that was provided.

I had the wonderful experience of an anti-vaccine protest outside my office in Gorey before Christmas. We need to take further action. I look forward to dealing with this in the context of the online safety Bill, which we will consider quite soon. As part of that, measures can be taken against disinformation concerning vaccine and health products. This is something that will be important.

We also need to take stronger action against some of those who continue to break the 5 km rule and do not travel for reasons of work, study or emergency, including some anti-vaccine protesters. I have a lot of time for gardaí and the difficulties they have faced. It is important that the House acknowledge Garda Alan Leblique who had to stand up to some of those protesters. It is important that we note his very sad passing and extend our sympathies to his husband and gardaí. These are some of the challenges that gardaí are forced to face.

For the majority of people in this country who follow the rules and try their best, it is very difficult to see a small minority who do not follow the rules. In my community in Gorey there was a funeral last night where over 50 people attended and did not care about social distancing. Gardaí tried to do their best, but a small minority do not believe that the rules apply to them. It is important for the overwhelming majority of people in this country that the rules apply to all. We need to send out a message to those who are anti-vaccine that their behaviour will no longer be tolerated.

A debate needs to be had on a post-vaccine context. The question of vaccine certification, in particular travel in the future, is something that requires an EU-wide response. The Government needs to start to plan for that. We also have to examine how we recover from this period in terms of rebuilding communities and continuing with our message of hope. Everyone wants the vaccine programme to do well and to contribute in a positive way. I ask that the Minister works with all sides of the House to ensure that this can happen.