Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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736. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department or NPHET has carried out a solid evidence-based feasibility study comparing a zero Covid-19 strategy for Ireland against the existing plan for living with Covid-19 which was adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3856/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Since the emergence of COVID-19, the Government has been guided at all times by the emerging scientific understanding of the virus and in particular has been in receipt of advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The advice of NPHET is usually provided in the form of a letter to the Minister for Health from the Chief Medical Officer, in his role as the Chair of NPHET. This advice is subsequently published on the Government website. It has set out a consistent set of advices and recommendations that are available for inspection by all.

The Government has always been clear that a “zero Covid” option is not one that is available to Ireland due to a number of factors, most pertinently the border with Northern Ireland and the Common Travel Area. Our proximity to Europe and the nature of the supply chains we are part of, both as an exporter and importer of vital goods, are also relevant in any considerations here.

The clear advice from NPHET has been and continues to be that our overarching objective must be to suppress the virus to the lowest level possible and to maintain it at a low level. This is essential for protecting public health and our core priorities of education, health and social care services and shielding the most vulnerable from the disease.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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737. To ask the Minister for Health the expected vaccination timeline for maternity staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3857/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.