Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I appreciate what she said, but what we have heard is quite similar to what we got last August. Let us roll out the vaccine programme and look at the intradermal method of administration and how we can extend it more broadly. The Minister of State referred to the intention to vaccinate "those at high risk of infection before they are exposed to the virus". It is important that we administer the vaccine across the community. We know vaccines work. We have seen that with Covid and other vaccines. They do work. We are part of the European approach. I welcome the increased provision. The intradermal method is one we should be exploring more. I hope it will be part of the consultation process. Will the Minister bring back to the Department, NIAC and the HSE that more gay men must be on the steering group and involved in the administration, campaign and promotional programme for the vaccine.I welcome the increased supply but it is important that we recognise that we are way behind other countries. While the response is encouraging with regard to the numbers, it is also disappointing. I thank the Minister of State for being here. I hope the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, will engage further with us. As one of the seven members of the Oireachtas LGBT community, I would be happy to meet the Minister to discuss this with him. I thank the Acting Chairperson for her patience. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for being here. I know it is not her area of responsibility, but in fairness to her, she has always been a strong advocate and leader for us in the gay community. I thank her sincerely for that.