Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I acknowledge the work of the HSE on rolling out the vaccination programme nationwide. Many people did not believe the Minister, the Government or our specialists in NIAC or the HSE that the issue initially was a supply issue but clearly it was. It has been proven that once the supplies come into the country, the HSE and the State are very efficient at ensuring the vaccines get into people's arms. This is a compliment to the HSE staff, the teams working in the vaccination centres, GPs, testers, swabbers and laboratory analysts who continue the work they have been doing for over a year.

I acknowledge all those who continue, despite the difficulties, to abide in so far as they can by the health requirements we have been asked to abide by over the past 14 months. It is difficult and wearing on people. Now they see so many of their friends, colleagues and family being vaccinated, particularly parents, loved ones, grannies and grandads. This cohort being vaccinated has given an extra boost to people's morale and belief in the system. It is certainly to be welcomed.

As we have seen in Galway and Dublin, the lockdown has raised the issues of celebrating outdoors, bins and public toilets. These need to be sorted anyway for various festivals and gatherings in warm weather. We do not get sunny days that often but when we get a warm spell we will have people congregating and it is important that facilities are in place.

The high level of uptake is certainly encouraging. It must be killing all the vaccine deniers and Covid deniers to see people are willing to go forward and get a vaccine.

It will be important that students go back on campus and I am sure the Minister is working with the Minister responsible for further education, Deputy Harris, on this issue. Antigen testing has been spoken about, particularly with regard to campuses where there is high throughput. Rapid antigen testing would be hugely important.

I have previously asked about booster vaccinations. Is it too early to ask whether they will be necessary or what will be needed later this year or next year?