Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy Leader for outlining the proposed Order of Business. On behalf of the Fine Gael group in this House, I join the Cathaoirleach in extending our sympathies to the family of Sir David Amess. As a new member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, of which Sir David was also a member, it is a sad day for me. Many of our colleagues in this House met him and worked with him on British-Irish relations over the years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

I join also in the tributes to Brendan Kennelly and Máire Mhac an tSaoi. Brendan Kennelly was a feature of the streets of Dublin city for decades and always gave up his time freely to young people who were interested in literature. This country has benefited greatly from the wisdom of both Brendan Kennelly and Máire Mhac an tSaoi.

It is good news that society is reopening, as will happen on Friday. That must be welcomed but caution has to be exercised. The issue of personal responsibility is now coming to the fore. I have no doubt that when the people are asked to show personal responsibility, to be careful, cautious and considerate and to step back when necessary, that will happen. I wish the businesses that will reopen on Friday, after 19 long months, the very best. I hope it will go smoothly, carefully and safely.

On health issues, the hospitals in Galway and Limerick are very overcrowded.We also know the flu vaccination season had begun. While I welcome the Government's announcement that it will extend the remit of those who can receive free flu vaccines, we need to go further. We have seen the success of the Covid-19 vaccine in this country and we need to see the uptake of the flu vaccine at 90% plus. I call on the Government to make the flu vaccine free to everybody - it will be a small cost - and to encourage take-up. At present, it is a case of us being penny wise pound foolish. If we can get 90% of the population to take the flu vaccine injection, we would reap the rewards with fewer presentations at accident and emergency units throughout the country, and it would be a small cost to bear. I call on the Leader to contact the Minister to articulate that view and, if necessary, to allow a debate in this House on the flu injection and its free provision.

There was an incident in my constituency whereby an ambulance had to travel from Galway to Kilkee to attend a road traffic accident. That is totally unacceptable. We need a debate in this House on the National Ambulance Service. There are great women and men, paramedics and drivers, working in the National Ambulance Service but there seems to be a problem with response times and the methods used to co-ordinate it at national level. We need a debate on the National Ambulance Service in recognition of the great work our paramedics do and to ensure the service is quick and responsive and available when people need it.