Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask that we amend the Order of Business for tomorrow to have a debate on the reopening of the country and the roll-out of the vaccination programme in the context of the decisions to be made by the Government. They are important decisions that should not be made in a vacuum but in a full, open and transparent manner that includes disclosure of the information that NPHET will give to the Government. I say that while welcoming the comment made by the Tánaiste this morning that it is not inevitable that we will not reopen the country next week. It is important that certainty is provided to the men and women in our hospitality sector.

We have had this debate for a long time and there has been lots of commentary. Professor Cathal Walsh spoke about modelling on RTÉ's "Morning Ireland" earlier. I am asking NPHET to publish the information to enable us all to read it and ascertain the real facts around its latest proposals. It is important that certainty and clarity are provided.

In the context of the vaccination programme, if there are going to be surplus vaccines, we should be provided with the information on what is to be done with them and how they will be used properly. I make that statement in a very positive manner, as a Member of this House and also as a member of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, which has dealt with the issue of antigen testing. We need to have a real debate in this House on antigen testing.

It is important that certainty and clarity are provided on the 19 July date, which is approaching. Are we ready for the EU digital Covid certificate? Will our country continue to be open or closed? Which will it be? Would it not be awful if we were not ready on 19 July to avail of a travel certificate that is valid in the rest of Europe? That would be catastrophic. Therefore, I ask for a debate on the issue to take place tomorrow, if possible.