Seanad debates

Wednesday, 15 December 2021

10:30 am

Photo of Niall Ó DonnghaileNiall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Warfield, I acknowledge, commend and thank Senator Higgins for bringing this motion before us. I do not have a great deal more to add beyond what has been said by those colleagues arguing in support of the motion, including Senators from the other side of the Chamber. They have laid out effectively and clearly the health, human rights, justice and economic rationale for the Government implementing a TRIPS waiver. They have also made clear the political and ethical arguments as to why, from the perspective of our experiences in Ireland and our ethos and core belief system as a country and as a people, we should be to the forefront in ensuring international solidarity, particularly at a time like this.

The clue is in the word "pandemic". The last thing I want to do is to descend into clichés, but the fundamentals are the following. This is a pandemic. Therefore, it requires a global response. This has been said repeatedly. My colleague, Senator Gavan, outlined it very eloquently. The scientists and health experts have repeatedly and consistently said - at times they have pleaded with governments around the world - to follow their advice, and their very clear advice is that no one is safe until we are all safe. That is what tonight's motion is about. Senator Malcolm Byrne may not need or even want my endorsement of the decision he has taken, but it is what we on this side of the Chamber are asking colleagues to do. It is to do the right thing, not least given the time of year, when we think of people who are less well off around the world, to extend solidarity and to live by some of the sentiment that will be expressed over the coming days and weeks.

I hope the Minister of State will reflect on the debate tonight. I know he will. I hope he will reflect on what his Government colleagues are saying in the Chamber and take a lead in ensuring the Government does the right thing, withdraws its amendment and supports the motion in all our names.

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