Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

624. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if EU Digital COVID Certificates issued to persons over 65 years of age will be accepted for travel to France if the person only has not received a third dose of a vaccine; the proof of vaccination that will be accepted by the French authorities if the person has a third dose but it is not reflected on the certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63163/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The definition of complete vaccination for the purposes of international travel to France is unaffected by the French Government’s policy change on 15 December to which I understand the Deputy is referring.  EU Digital COVID Certificates issued to persons over 65 years of age therefore continue to be accepted for travel to France, including where the person has not received a vaccine booster dose, or where they have not yet received an updated EU Digital COVID Certificate corresponding to their booster dose.

New EU-wide rules will, however, come into effect from 1 February 2022, with a 9-month maximum validity period for EU Digital COVID Certificates based on a completed primary vaccination regime. At present, certificates issued following a COVID-19 booster dose have no expiration date under the new EU-wide rules. In preparation for this, my colleague the Minister for Health announced on 6 January that following the rollout of the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Ireland and the successful booster vaccination programme, updated EU Digital COVID Certificates will be issued to all those who have received an additional vaccine dose. Over 1.5m new Digital COVID Certificates have issued in the last week to those who have received an additional vaccine dose. 

The French policy change of 15 December 2021 relates exclusively to the domestic health pass (pass sanitaire) introduced by the French government. This pass is interoperable with the EU Digital COVID Certificate. Irish citizens are able to access a French pass for domestic use in France on the basis of their vaccination status when they receive an updated Certificate.

My Department continues to advise citizens that COVID-related restrictions are subject to change at short notice. I encourage all citizens considering travel to France to regularly consult our Travel Advice, which is available on the Department’s website and is updated with the latest information available.