Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Senator O'Loughlin on getting her booster vaccine this morning and I say "Fair play" to her. I hope she does not feel the effects of it too much. My brother texted me the other day when he got his booster to say that he was feeling a bit ropy afterwards, but he was glad to get it. I wish the Senator well. I have seen quite a few photographs online of a walk-in clinic at the community centre in my parish in the Short Strand. There was a queue along the street with people going in to get their booster. I wished I was home when I saw that so I could get it, but I look forward to getting my booster next week. Like others have done, I thank and commend those in the healthcare sector, in the community and voluntary sectors, in the GAA, in the churches, in many sectors of Irish life and, indeed, in the Defence Forces and elsewhere, who are assisting the roll-out of the booster vaccine and have assisted in the vaccine programme throughout the pandemic.

I note last night's debate and thank and commend Senator Higgins on her motion on the TRIPS waiver and by ensuring it was passed. It was the right thing for the Government to do and I acknowledge and thank those Government Senators who stood strong last night and did the right thing. As I said during yesterday's debate, none of us is truly vaccinated until everyone is vaccinated, and that was the core sentiment and intend behind the motion, which I was happy and honoured to co-sign. I hope the Government listens and, more important, I hope it acts.

I join with colleagues agus guím Nollaig mhór mhaith ar achan duine san Oireachtas, ar an gCathaoirleach agus ar a oifig, ar Martin Groves, Bridget Doody agus achan duine in Oifig an tSeanaid, Oifig an Cheannaire, achan duine a oibríonn go díon agus go crua gach aon bhliain ach go háirithe le linn na paindéime agus an méid a bhí orainn go léir déileáil leis i mbliana agus anuraidh. I join in the sentiment of Christmas greetings to colleagues across the Chamber and these Houses and all staff of the Oireachtas who always work diligently and very hard, as the Cathaoirleach knows, but this has been a trying year for us all. I hope they get a good rest and enjoy it – I am not looking at Martin Groves in particular. I hope we all do. I wish everyone a happy Christmas and Nollaig shona and all the best. Hopefully 2022 will be a much better year for us all.