Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I respect the need for the Bill and the extension of the dates. The remarks of Senators McDowell and Burke are to be noted by all of us.

The vaccination programme is working. Today, we heard that 300,000 Covid-19 vaccines were administered last week, and that is to be the case again this week. It is proof that the vaccination programme is working.

The Minister, in his speech, praised members of An Garda Síochána. I still contend that, even at this late stage, they should be prioritised in the vaccination programme. They are on the front line dealing with people. I urge the Minister to re-evaluate the position on this.

I, too, commend the Minister on his work. I join Senator McDowell in condemning the faceless, anonymous trolls on social media. They have no courage; they are nothing but cowards. At least the Minister has the courage to put his name on a ballot paper, take an oath of office and work. I commend him on his work.

Healthcare staff at all levels should be commended. We praise them for their work. This morning, many of us spoke to and met members of the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association and other representatives of the aviation sector. Some of us involved in the transport committee have been very much engaged on addressing the need for antigen testing as part of a suite of measures to combat Covid-19. Equally, with the EU digital Covid certificate, there should now be no excuse for Ireland not to participate, although I know it will, and not to get involved early. There should be no procrastination over that. The time for conservatism is over in this regard because if we believe in the science, we should agree that a fully vaccinated person should be able to travel with a negative Covid test and a full vaccine without mandatory hotel quarantine. If we agree we are European and part of the European community and believe in the EU digital Covid certificate, we should agree that a fully vaccinated person with a negative test should be able to travel and have, to echo the Minister, unimpeded travel access across the EU. Late July and August are far too late. It is way too slow, notwithstanding the health concerns over the Indian variant and so on. The efficacy of the vaccine has been proven.

I am now of the age to have had the privilege of going to Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Thursday night to get the first dose of the vaccine.I commend the men and women who worked there last Thursday night. To those who go on local radio, "Liveline", or elsewhere, and criticise the vaccination programme, I can tell them that be it in City Hall, Cork, or Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, the level of activity and positivity present is to be commended. It was absolutely superb, and I commend and thank the people for that.