Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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2222. To ask the Minister for Health if the necessary IT database exists to roll-out the EU digital green cert system in Ireland in a timely manner to allow freedom of movement for vaccinated persons to arrive and depart Ireland from July 2021 onwards to give a much needed boost to the tourism and hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20173/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The European Commission published it's draft proposal for a Regulation to introduce a ‘Digital Green Certificate’ on 17th March 2021. The draft regulation outlines a common framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of certificates relating to vaccination, testing and recovery. Ireland is engaged in constructive discussions at EU level, with involvement by a number of Government Departments, not just Health.

Careful consideration is being given to the proposal and its many policy, infrastructural and operational implications across a number of sectors in Ireland. My Department is engaging constructively in the on-going technical discussions at EU level, in collaboration with relevant Departments, to ensure we can achieve alignment in relation to a return to international travel for non-essential purposes, as soon as it is safe to do so.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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2223. To ask the Minister for Health if he has received representations from the European Commission in relation to the mandatory quarantine system here; if so, the nature of such representations; if reservations have been expressed regarding the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20174/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government remains in regular contact with the European Commission and other international partners working in all areas of cooperation concerning international travel, including the Mandatory Quarantine System.

The European Commission has recently contacted my Department, along with colleagues in a number of other Member States, regarding some concerns about selected travel restrictions in those Member States. Officials in my Department will review these concerns in full and provide any clarification or information necessary on the Mandatory Quarantine System or related matters to the Commission.

In the meantime, the Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice.