Seanad debates

Monday, 31 May 2021

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements

 

10:30 am

Photo of Malcolm ByrneMalcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber. He is aware St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr who in very difficult circumstances stuck to the faith, in spite of unrelenting criticism at times. In fairness, the Minister has been subject to much abuse but has stuck to delivering the programme. Many of those who criticised the Minister said we would never achieve the targets we discussed. I know some critics from earlier this year have acknowledged that the Government's programme - the largest vaccination programme in the State - has been a success, and others need to acknowledge this as well.The only interruptions have been around matters regarding supply, which are beyond our control. In thanking all of those involved in the programme, the Minister and those who oversaw it deserve some credit. Those who were tweeting and criticising the Minister earlier in the year might do well to reflect on some of their predictions at the time and admit they were wrong.

I want to raise a number of points. I certainly would agree with the point made by Senator Higgins on the TRIPS waiver. We have a responsibility. It is not just about COVAX. We are not going to solve this problem until it is solved in the entire world. There will always be a risk. Ireland's generosity with regard to India is something that could prove as an example and I hope at European level the Minister will support the TRIPS waiver.

There continues to be anecdotal evidence that some people are being called for vaccination twice and some people are not showing up. I know it was a bigger problem previously but I am aware it is an issue. I hear from vaccinators that sometimes people are being called to two different centres. It may just be a glitch in the system.

I want to speak about the vaccine bonus. We have a high take-up rate and we have to give the vaccine bonus. I am aware that today the EU Commission has proposed that those who are fully vaccinated would be exempt of any requirement to quarantine or show testing when travelling within the EU. As part of the vaccine bonus we have to look at telling people that when they have their vaccine they are entitled to travel more freely. There has to be a reward because of the high take-up of the vaccine.

My colleague, Senator Clifford-Lee, asked when young people will be vaccinated. As we roll through the age groups, and I am looking forward to getting my vaccine soon, will the Minister give us an indication in his response that by the time we get to the end of August and we are looking at the resumption of schools and colleges, he can guarantee that all of those who may be starting or going back to third level will be vaccinated? We want people back on our campuses? Once it is safe to do so, will the roll-out continue to students at second level?

This is wonderful because when we think about last summer we never imagined we would have vaccines. People never thought we would be in the situation we are in now or that we would see vaccines. It shows the wonder and importance of research, innovation and science and why we need to continue to invest in them. We also need to look at the experiences we have all had during this period. Some of them have to do with health and medicine but there have also been social experiences. I spoke earlier about how we will deal with grief and loss, which are very human emotions that many of us have experienced over the course of the lockdown. We need to look at partnering with higher education institutions to conduct research into this area.

Being Minister for Health is a challenge at the best of times but particularly at present when we are facing what I hope is a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. We also have all of the other challenges with the health service. Unfortunately, as we are coming out of the pandemic the Minister will be hit with all of the other issues. As he knows, there are further backlogs in elective surgery. It is important there is communication on how we will deal with these. It may not be possible during this session but at some stage I ask the Minister to come to the House to speak about the post-Covid plan for Sláintecare and the rest of the health service.

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