Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----who have no respect for democracy. The Minister will find that there is solidarity with him and his family on all sides of this House. We need to take action. We are all in favour of peaceful protest but to do what was done outside the Minister's home and to his family is completely unacceptable.

As I am sure the Minister is aware, the difficulty with this pandemic is that there is no handbook. If we were able to predict the trajectory, somebody would be able to make a fortune out of the guidebook he or she could draw up. Nobody has been able to do that, however. That has been one of the challenges. On the points set out by the Minister, any reasonable person looking at how Ireland has managed the pandemic will see that we have not got everything right, but we have got a lot of things right. In particular, the vaccination programme has been a success.

What the Minister outlined regarding some of the long-term measures, including the increase in ICU bed capacity, is important. The message needs to get out that we are increasing bed capacity. It is not enough as yet but, in as far as possible, every additional bed that can be provided is being provided. The message also needs to be put out that the Minister is reforming the health service at the same time. The fact that more than 11,000 additional staff are now employed in health has not been getting out there. It is important that we start to stress that the Government is responding not just in terms of the immediate response on vaccines and so on, but it is also looking at the long-term issues. That is a communications challenge.

We also need to communicate more effectively about how the health service is going to deal with many of the other health issues. There are still challenges around elective surgeries and delays to waiting lists. People will obviously be concerned that if we continue to see variants, increases in cases and possible increases in hospitalisations, the other areas of our health service will be impacted. It is important that we communicate effectively on those issues.

I ask the Minister to address a number of specific points. I have always been struck by the approach taken by Dr. Mike Ryan of the World Health Organization who speaks very bluntly. He said we will not get everything right but speed is of the essence and that once we take a decision, we should go with it. We know that vaccines work. We know, from the early evidence, that the booster campaign is working. Will the Minister give an indicative timeline as to when the booster campaign will start to roll out to the wider population? When will those of us in our 40s, or younger, be able to access booster vaccines? There is a belief in society that vaccines are the best way of protecting us. I know there will be a few weeks here and there, but I ask the Minister to give us an assurance on the timeline for the next few age cohorts and outline when and where the booster vaccines will be available to these groups. That would be helpful.

As the Minister is aware, I hold a strong view, which I have communicated previously, that theatres and arts venues should be kept open, not just for cultural reasons but for people's mental well-being. I have had the privilege of being in a number of theatres around the country recently. They are all following the guidelines. They are checking Covid certificates and identification. They are very safe, secure venues. It is important that we give a reassurance to that sector. There is a whole schedule that has been planned well into next year. In as far as possible, theatres, museums and galleries should be allowed to remain open. These are the activities that keep us all sane during this period.

This is not an issue for the Minister directly, but he will be aware that because of some of the newer restrictions that have impacted on the hospitality sector, there will be issues with supports for business. The Government has always committed to continuing those supports. It is most important that we continue to commit to the provision of the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, and other supports for those who are affected.

We need to look at those who want to take the vaccine but who, for medical reasons, are unable to take it. This is a challenge. They want to take the vaccine but cannot do so and cannot necessarily get a vaccine certificate. We must accommodate them. These people are not anti-vaxxers. They believe in vaccines but are unable take the vaccine for medical reasons.