Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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879. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to endorse the World Health Organisation Covid-Technology Access Pool initiative to help achieve equitable, global access to Covid-19 vaccines; if he plans to advocate for same at international level, particularly at European level and at the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question Number 774 of 24 March refers.

My Department continues to support global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the €50 million in Irish Aid funding to global health in 2021, €5 million is channelled to directly finance COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX. The COVAX mechanism is beginning to deliver results, with over 38 million vaccines already delivered to 106 participant countries.

The ongoing challenges with global vaccination were the subject of a February UN Security Council Debate on access to COVID-19 vaccines. The resulting resolution (2565) particularly highlighted the challenges faced in conflict-affected zones.

The sharing of technology on vaccines, and also diagnostics and treatment, is part of the suite of responses to COVID-19. As the Government lead on Intellectual Property Rights, this is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Ireland is sharing technology, and investing in vital research and innovation in response to the pandemic. For example, the technology supporting the COVID tracker app has been widely shared.

Officials in my Department continue to work with counterparts in other Departments, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to give consideration to whether Ireland will join the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP).