Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I rise today to ask the Leader, or implore her for assistance with a particular matter. I have a neighbour and constituent who, in May 2021, got a Pfizer first jab for Covid-19. Unfortunately, she had a serious reaction and ended up in the accident and emergency department and eventually recovered. Since then, she has been endeavouring to get her second vaccination, if not Pfizer, then maybe Moderna or AstraZeneca. I will read a small bit of what she sent to me in handwriting.

She is a highly educated research scientist, who is currently working as a global project manager for Janssen with more than 20 years' experience working in the pharma sector as well as in academic lecturing. She says:

I am not a crackpot anti-vaxxer. I want to do my part in reducing the risk. But right now, the only way I can have a normal life like the rest of my family is to get Covid-19 myself and recover in order to get a Covid-19 certificate.

It is an awful situation to be in.

This woman has an 81-year-old mother. That is creating difficulty. She was to appear in RTÉ six weeks ago on a particular issue. It was nothing to do with her problem, but she had to refuse. She contacted the Taoiseach's office, and he referred the matter to the Minister of Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The Minister for Health kicked it down the road. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee, NIAC, is not interested. I cannot understand. It is five months later. This woman badly needs help for her family, her work, or even to go out for a meal - not that she is a big socialiser - but nobody is prepared to help her. Every night I put on the television and there are people from the HSE, NIAC and officials from the Government and Ministers saying we must get everybody vaccinated to prevent this crisis. Here is an example. I hope the Leader will take this up with the appropriate persons. I did not raise this here lightly. I think that is the second matter I have raised in 18 months. However, I really feel for this lady. I think she has been badly wronged and we need to find a solution.