Colm Gildernew
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I have been working with Dungannon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will welcome this work, particularly in light of its concerns about vacancy and protecting the retail heart of towns such as Dungannon.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?”
“However, the Committee will want to examine carefully how any new or amended powers would operate in practice. Powers relating to information sharing, official warnings, directions, removal from office and disqualification can have significant, long-standing consequences for charities, trustees, staff, volunteers and, indeed, public confi…”
“<BR /> <BR />The regulations are consequential to the uprating order and provide the supporting technical changes needed to ensure that the revised benefit rates operate correctly. The regulations increase the earning limit for carer's allowance from £196 a week to £204 a week.”
“In response to those findings, Minister Hargey introduced the Charities Bill, which was enacted in 2022. The legislation put in place many of the review's priority recommendations in the limited time remaining in that mandate. The Charities (Amendment) Bill represents the next stage of that reform programme.”
“The Committee will wish to explore the implications of those changes, including for organisations operating across jurisdictions or delivering charitable activity in or from the North. Our charity sector includes a diverse range of bodies.”
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“I thank Nicola Brogan for securing this important debate, and I thank the Minister for attending throughout. <BR /> <BR />It is a hugely important debate. There is not a person or family in our part of the country that has not been impacted in some way as a result of the deaths over many years. When the news came through of those latest deaths, the prevailing sense was simply shock, devastation for the families, dread about the likelihood of it happening again and the fact that it has now happened again. <BR /> <BR />That is something that we all have to grapple with, and we have to work together to deliver what is such a key infrastructure project for our part of the North.”
“The Minister knows that there is a large and very valuable poultry industry in my constituency, and this is a worrying time. He mentioned some of the mitigating measures that are being taken. Will he advise the House of any further mitigations for dealing with the impact of avian flu? Do those mitigations include trade restrictions or controls?”
“I thank the Bill sponsors for their engagement with the Committee on the Bill, and I thank Committee members for their work on it . Members conducted themselves in a very sensitive manner on what is a very emotive subject. <BR /> <BR />I also place on record my thanks to the Committee team and the Bill Clerks for supporting members through their scrutiny of the Bill. Remarks on behalf of Sinn Féin will be made by my colleague Michelle O'Neill.”
“The Committee also heard evidence that there were a number of difficulties in relation to the repatriation of fetal remains and that that can cause additional stress and trauma for women and girls. The Committee agreed, by majority, to record its concern regarding women who are forced to travel to Britain to avail themselves of healthcare services. <BR /> <BR />Following its consideration of the evidence, the Committee undertook deliberations before coming to the formal clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. During clause-by-clause consideration, the Committee agreed, by a majority vote, that it was content with clause 1 as drafted, and clause 2 as amended by the Bill sponsor. The Committee agreed that its report would be published and would outline the evidence that it received in the course of its scrutiny.”
“The Committee is considering that issue further in relation to Clare Bailey's safe access zones private Member's Bill, which is in front of us at present. <BR /> <BR />A number of submissions outlined that the Bill's provisions would not prevent terminations on the grounds of SFI taking place; rather, it would export the issue to Britain. There were concerns that financial factors could prevent women travelling to Britain, which would create further inequalities. It was also outlined that there could be other factors that prevent women from travelling to access services, such as women in coercive or abusive relationships; those with uncertain immigration status; girls under the age of 18; and those with disabilities or medical conditions that could prevent travel or make it difficult.”
“Those who support the Bill and those who do not agreed that there was a need for improved counselling and support services for women and families who have a severe fetal impairment (SFI) diagnosis, regardless of whether a woman continues with her pregnancy or chooses to terminate. The need for the provision of greater information on fetal anomalies was highlighted. It was stated that more information should be provided on the help and support that is available and that there could be referrals to support networks of women with similar diagnoses. <BR /> <BR />The issue of protests outside healthcare premises was brought up on a number of occasions. Although the Committee is cognisant of the right to lawful and peaceful protest, members were concerned about the reports of patients and staff feeling harassed and intimidated.”
“It was said that there was a difference in the screening programme here in the North when compared with Britain and that the North does not offer non-invasive prenatal testing, which can detect chromosomal abnormalities from 10 to 14 weeks, as opposed to the current fetal anomaly scan between 18 and 21 weeks here in the North. There was concern around the 24-week limit on termination for severe fetal impairment. It was stated that, if the Bill is passed, it will leave a limited amount of time for women and families to make important, fully informed decisions and will place women here at a disadvantage when compared with those in Britain. <BR /> <BR />Some submissions argued that screening is primarily used for detection, with a view to termination, and that increased screening at an earlier stage could lead to increased terminations.”
“The implications for medical professionals were raised in evidence that was considered by the Committee. It was highlighted that the lack of a clear definition of the terminology that is used in abortion law is a major concern for clinicians. It was pointed out to the Committee that there is no legal definition of terms such as "substantial risk" and "seriously disabled" and that that can cause problems for clinicians. The Committee also discussed the issue of conscientious objections and how those are handled in the trusts. Members were advised that guidance and processes for conscientious objection are in place. <BR /> <BR />The issue of the provision of screening and counselling services was raised on a number of occasions.”
“At its meeting on 4 November, the Committee agreed, by majority vote, that its report should call for the full implementation of commissioned services as set out in the Abortion (NI) (No. 2) Regulations 2020.”
“A number of competing arguments were made in the written and oral evidence that the Committee received. <BR /> <BR />In relation to the commissioning of abortion services, many of the submissions that the Committee received highlighted the fact that full abortion services, as provided for in the Abortion (No. 2) Regulations 2020, are not currently available in the North. The Committee noted that there are currently a number of legal challenges in relation to those regulations. The Minister advised that preparatory scoping work to develop a commissioning model resumed in June 2021 and that the recommended service model will be subject to prior approval by the Executive.”
“Those in support of the Bill stated that current legislation contains elements of disability discrimination and that the Bill seeks to address that issue. However, those against the Bill argued that the rights of disabled people are not necessarily at odds with the rights of pregnant women. Both sides called for greater efforts to remove the stigma and discrimination faced by disabled people, and a number of organisations made suggestions for greater support for disabled people and their families through wider social and financial supports. <BR /> <BR />On human rights and legal obligations, much of the evidence that was considered by the Committee highlighted concerns about human rights standards and domestic and international legal obligations.”
“I thank all of those individuals and organisations that took the time to submit written evidence, and I thank all those who attended Committee meetings and gave oral evidence. <BR /> <BR />The Committee identified a number of themes and issues in the written submissions and the oral evidence. I will not go into detail about them all, as further information on all of them is contained in the Committee's report. <BR /> <BR />Disability was a theme that was clearly identified throughout. The Bill sponsor highlighted the fact that the Bill seeks to ensure that the law on abortion is in line with other provisions in the North that uphold the rights of those with a disability. Views were contested during evidence sessions.”
“The Bill passed its Second Stage on 15 March 2021 and was referred to the Committee for Health for scrutiny at Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />The Committee issued a call for evidence, and there was a substantial response, with 9,124 written submissions received. Of those written submissions, 43 were received from organisations, with the rest coming from individuals. Committee members agreed to take oral evidence from 22 organisations. Those organisations ranged across health trusts, professional representative bodies, disability groups, human rights organisations, pro- and anti-choice groups and church organisations. The Committee took extensive evidence over a number of weeks. Following the oral evidence sessions, it heard from the sponsor of the Bill — who, at that stage, was Christopher Stalford — and Don't Screen Us Out.”
“I welcome the opportunity to outline the Committee's scrutiny of the Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill. The Bill seeks to amend regulation 7 of the Abortion (NI) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 to remove the grounds for abortion in cases of physical or mental impairment where there is substantial risk of serious disability. <BR /> <BR />The Committee first considered the Bill at its meeting on 18 February 2021, just after the Bill's First Stage. At its meeting on 18 February, the Committee agreed to write to the Human Rights Commission to seek its views on the Bill's compatibility with human rights. The then sponsor of the Bill, Paul Givan MLA, along with representatives from Don't Screen Us Out, briefed the Committee on the principles of the Bill on 11 March.”
“The proposed extension will allow as much time as possible for detailed consideration while balancing the consideration of other Bills. If possible, the Committee will report before that date. I commend the motion to the House.”
“The Hospital Parking Charges Bill passed its Second Stage on 22 November 2021 and was referred for its Committee Stage the following working day. The Bill has a single policy objective, and that is to prohibit the imposition by Health and Social Care hospitals of charges for car parking. The Committee has issued its call for evidence on the Bill, and it is planned that oral evidence will commence in January. <BR /> <BR />The Committee seeks an extension due to the extremely heavy workload in front of it and the large number of Bills that it has to scrutinise before the end of the mandate. That heavy workload means that the Committee has to meet twice a week to be able to consider all the evidence for those Bills and get through them. The Committee therefore requests an extension to 28 February 2022.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I am not sure if he picked up on any of the earlier statement from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development about the very serious situation with avian flu. I noted, and thought it correct, that there was an emphasis on following the science, moving quickly to deal with these types of situations, the need to act as a single epidemiological unit when dealing with these public health measures and that, no matter how difficult the situation, there is a need to follow the medical and scientific evidence.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, I am conscious of the commercial and financial impacts on many people. Coming from a farming background, however, I also understand the huge emotional impact on those who keep animals when their animals have to be culled. In light of that, what supports are in place for those who have been impacted in Aughnacloy, Coagh, Broughshane, Armagh and in other places where the disease will develop? Has Rural Support in Cookstown been contacted?”
“In essence, it is an attempt to establish that someone does not actively have COVID-19 before they go into a crowded social setting, thereby seeking to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The emergence of the omicron variant, with its reported increased transmissibility, makes that all the more relevant. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin supports the measures, given the need for a wide range of public health responses to the pandemic. We encourage everyone in the Chamber to do likewise.”
“I encourage everyone in our community to adhere to the public health guidelines, maintain good social distancing and respiratory hygiene, wear a mask when necessary and avail themselves of the vaccine and booster when they become available. I urge others, including some in the Chamber, to carefully consider their words and actions and the impact that they will have on our ability to deal with the public health crisis. <BR /> <BR />We in the House must act and speak on behalf of the most vulnerable in our society to protect lives, health and our health and social care services. The measure is not a vaccine certificate but a COVID status certificate that includes the elements of evidence of having recovered from COVID in an identified time period or, alternatively, of a negative LFD test.”
“No. The Member will have time to make his arguments during his contribution. I do not particularly want to facilitate the Member's comments during my contribution. <BR /> <BR />A chairde, we are dealing here with an unprecedented public health emergency that requires unprecedented actions and measures to protect our people and our health services. I welcome the fact that the Executive have endorsed the measure as part of a wide-ranging and interlocking set of public health measures.”
“<BR /> <BR />Following the briefing on 2 December, the Committee wrote to the Department, seeking clarification on a number of issues. A response was received, and an official then came to the Committee on 9 December to answer follow-up questions. During the formal consideration of the rule, a number of members highlighted their concern about COVID certification, before the Committee formally agreed to recommend that the health protection regulation be approved by the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />I would now like to make some remarks as Sinn Féin spokesperson.”
“There was a discussion on enforcement and monitoring of compliance. The Committee has raised that issue on a number of occasions when discussing such rules, and further work needs to be done to gather information on compliance with the new rules to ensure that they achieve the desired effect. There was also a discussion of the need for clear messaging around the rules and the need to avoid any confusion so that the public are fully aware of the current rules and regulations. Public messaging is one of the key ways that we can encourage compliance with the rules, and it is imperative that the Department of Health and the Executive provide sufficient information and messaging. That includes outlining and publishing the evidence that the restrictions introduced will make a difference.”
“There was a discussion on the evidence required for the lateral flow device (LFD) method of proving your COVID status. The Committee was briefed on the various exemptions for events including a funeral, a marriage ceremony, a civil partnership registration or a reception relating to those. Exemptions are also in place for a drive-in event, a lawful picket, an illuminated trail or pathway, religious worship or events held outdoor with no fixed entry points and for which tickets or payment are not required for entry. <BR /> <BR />Members asked a number of questions on the rule. The Committee received clarity that staff working in licensed premises are exempt from needing certification. Officials also outlined to us what engagement had taken place between the Executive and businesses.”
“It is, therefore, important that we encourage people to adhere to the current guidance and rules, that we maintain good hand hygiene, that we continue to wear masks when required to do so and that we maintain social distancing where possible. We need to do all that we can to protect each other. I also encourage all those who are eligible for a first vaccine or for the booster vaccine to get that when it becomes available to them. I also, indeed, welcome the extension of the booster programme to those over 30 and look forward to the programme being further rolled out in the coming weeks. <BR /> <BR />Members, the Committee was briefed on the rule at its meeting on 2 December. We were briefed on the requirement for COVID status certification and the methods by which people can access events and premises.”
“I will make some remarks as Chair and then some comments as my party's health spokesperson. <BR /> <BR />A chairde, we are now coming towards our second Christmas dealing with the pandemic, and here we are considering further regulations to put mitigations in place to slow the transmission of COVID-19. It is disappointing that we have to consider further mitigations, and I think that we all would have hoped to be in a better position this Christmas than last year. However, we have seen how the virus and the new omicron variant has spread across large parts of the world, and we are still unsure about the impact that this variant will have on our communities, on our hospitals and, indeed, on our health and social care workers, who have been straining to provide a healthcare service throughout the pandemic for months and months.”
“Minister, recently I visited health and social care facilities in Dublin with my party colleague David Conlon, and I saw at first hand some of the tremendous work that is being done. As you know, health arrangements between the North and the South are becoming increasingly routine and include the paediatric congenital cardiac services in Dublin's children's hospitals and the North West Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin, which treats cancer patients from both sides of the border. Did you and Minister Donnelly discuss any further areas where collaboration can be developed so that the whole island can share and benefit from medical expertise North and South, including the anguished situation around paediatric pathology, which continues not to be available in the North?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I note the numbers that have been discussed. Given the current problems with chronic understaffing in health and social care, however, and the fact that that could add further pressure — indeed, it has increased again since the questions about omicron were formulated — are there any plans to train staff from outside the core health and social care workforce in order to help with the vaccination programme?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I very much welcome the prioritisation that the Department of Health has received in the draft Budget. <BR /> <BR />Minister, as you said in your conclusion, the opportunity to plan, reform and improve public services is nowhere more relevant than it is for Health. A 10% increase in the Department's resource budget is a significant allocation. Can you outline how that will impact on the current difficulties that the health and social care system faces?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is clear that health professionals and academics are actively discussing and planning with one another how we can better deliver healthcare to all our people on what is a relatively small island. We must encourage and expand on those discussions in order to ensure that appropriate population-level health planning is in a position to put the health of all our people first.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, having engaged extensively over the past couple of weeks with health and social care professionals, including those in the South of Ireland, I believe that there is tremendous potential that must be grasped on an all-island basis. It was a privilege to witness the passion and planning for the future that is taking place in the children's paediatric cardiology centre in Dublin. It is surely past time that we address the fact that grieving families still have to travel to England in order to access paediatric pathology services. Minister, we must accelerate efforts to address that issue on a sustainable basis here on the island.”
“The transformation of the health and social care sector must have at its very core an ambition to create equal good health for all our constituents across all our communities. <BR /> <BR />I am also deeply conscious of the need to address geographical inequities for rural communities. While we need to ensure that transformation takes place, we must also ensure that it is done in a fair, balanced and sustainable way for all our communities. Years of underinvestment cannot continue and, indeed, must be redressed with effective planning and delivery. Everyone must have access to a decent, accessible and available health service wherever they live. The stalled roll-out of multidisciplinary health teams to primary care settings and the constricting access to public health dentistry are providing significant challenges to that goal.”
“<BR /> <BR />Central to any transformation of healthcare is an accountable plan to finally address the health inequalities that ravage many of our communities, and the Minister has acknowledged that in his remarks. Year after year, we get updates from the Department on the health of our constituents in our most deprived communities. Rarely, unfortunately, or ever, do we see improvement. It is not enough to simply report the widening gaps between our communities; we have to understand why we do not see improvements, and we need to act in order to address them in a measurable and outcomes-focused way. It is that need to address health inequalities that makes the deep immersion of community groups and others into any future design absolutely essential.”
“The Committee proposed amendments to ensure that crucial community engagement is guaranteed with the retention of the LCGs. It is also very clear that transparency and accountability are core elements, with the Assembly now assured of its role in the scrutiny of any replacement structures for the commissioning of services. It is vital that the transformation of health and social care is transparent and that the users of the service have a hand in its design. It is only through working with communities, patients, carers, families and those who work in the sector that we can fully understand the healthcare needs that our system should be built on.”
“I will now make some remarks as an MLA. Almost two years into a pandemic, it is evident to all that our health service is not fit for purpose. While our problems with waiting lists, staffing shortages, a decreasing number of hospital beds and so forth predate the pandemic, the crisis that emerged in early 2020 tells us that we need a healthcare system that is prepared to respond to even the most unimaginable of circumstances. In short, years of austerity have left our health and social care system depleted. The need for transformation has never been more apparent. We must build back, and we must build back better with something that is greater than what went before. <BR /> <BR />When the Bill was first introduced, it was apparent that there were some gaps.”
“That was welcome, and, indeed, indicated a readiness by the Department to put in place the best system possible. We look forward to seeing that in due course. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Bill Clerks Aoibheann and Claire for their support on the Bill and the extensive work that they did with us on it. I thank all Committee members for their engagement on the Bill: it is noteworthy that we had consensus on the Bill across all members. I thank the Committee team for their work on the Bill, which produced a very important report at a time of extremely challenging workloads and limited resources in the Committee team. I extend my sincere thanks to them all.”
“We also welcomed the departmental amendment that provides the Assembly with a scrutiny role in the replacement structure for the commissioning of services. The Committee looks forward to engaging with the Department further on the development of area integrated partnership boards. I thank the Minister for taking the Committee's concerns on board and producing the amendments. We, in the Health Committee, believe that those amendments make the Bill stronger and provide the necessary assurances for Members and stakeholders that they will be able to play a key role in future decision-making. <BR /> <BR />I also thank the departmental officials John and Allan, who appeared before the Committee on a number of occasions. Indeed, we had significant and interesting conversations on potential future models.”
“The primary concerns related to the possible gap in local engagement and input and the Assembly's role in scrutinising the new arrangements for the commissioning of services. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was concerned that, following the closure of the board and the dissolution of local commissioning groups (LCGs), there would be no opportunity for local input in decision-making. The Committee welcomed the Department's amendment that would see the local commissioning groups retained until regulations for the new framework were approved by the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />The Committee, again, reiterates the important role that engagement and co-production can play in targeting resources to meet needs across our communities.”
“Closure of the board has been a policy position of the Department since 2015 and has been the position of the past three Health Ministers. I hope that we see that transformation journey progressing faster and that systems and processes are put in place to ensure that our system works for everyone. <BR /> <BR />The Committee thanks those organisations that provided written and oral evidence on the Bill. There was consensus across those organisations and the Committee that there was a need for reform and that the Bill was an important step in that process. Although the Bill is a technical piece of legislation, the Committee undertook its full scrutiny role and, during the taking of evidence, flagged up a number of issues and concerns to the Department.”
“I rise to speak first on behalf of the Committee to welcome the Final Stage of the Health and Social Care Bill. I will then make some remarks as Sinn Féin's health spokesperson. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister and departmental officials for their work in getting the Bill to this stage. Over the past couple of years, the pandemic has shown us how fragile our health system is, which has only reinforced the need for transformation in the health and social care system. We need to find a way that makes the system work, not only for the most vulnerable people in our communities, but for the vast number of people who are on waiting lists and are in need of healthcare services for physical and mental health. <BR /> <BR />The Bill has been a long time in the making and is an important first step on the wider transformation journey.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. You outlined the financial situation, Minister. While countries across Europe have brought in mitigations to deal with rising prices, the British Chancellor refuses to agree a cut in VAT on energy bills. Do you agree, Minister, that the British Government need to take action to support families at this time?”
“The best barometer of the public messaging campaign, as well as the best monitoring and enforcement measure that we can have, is community agreement that certain things are necessary or beneficial and that society largely supports the measures being taken and responds in that way.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Minister said, where the evidence is mixed, we should err on the side of caution, because we do not get a second chance to act quickly on such matters and on public health matters generally. It is the case that we live in an age of disinformation, but we do not want to see a repeat of the situation in which commercial interests, for many years and even decades, controlled the flow of evidence and information in a way that allowed harmful products to continue to be sold. I welcome the Minister's commitment on that. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome the reference to a communications strategy. Again, it is particularly relevant to this issue and to public health measures generally. Social and community cohesion, buy-in and understanding of such measures are crucial.”
“The Committee asks that, as data is collected over the coming years, the Department consider the evidence and bring forward guidance and regulations as required on the basis of that evidence. The Committee agreed to recommend that the regulations be approved by the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />In my role as Sinn Féin health spokesperson, I indicate that Sinn Féin fully supports the measures to reduce exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke and to prevent young people from inappropriately accessing tobacco products. I welcome the Minister's indication that e-cigarette products will be monitored on an ongoing basis and that, should the evidence become clear, action will be taken.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members raised the issue of e-cigarettes and vaping being a gateway to tobacco products for younger people. There was a discussion about the information being gathered on young people's usage of e-cigarettes. Officials advised that the most recent young persons' behaviour and attitudes survey, from 2019, showed that 3% of under-16s, some of whom were as young as 11 years old, said that they used e-cigarettes regularly. That is a worrying trend, and I hope that the rules, along with education in schools, will better inform young people of the risks of tobacco products. <BR /> <BR />There was also a discussion about the lack of evidence on the long-term safety of e-cigarettes and the sometimes conflicting messaging on their use in smoking cessation services.”
“Officials advised that, following implementation in England, there was a 72% reduction in self-reported exposure to second-hand smoke. Officials indicated that compliance with the regulations could decrease the number of children exposed to smoking by 20%. <BR /> <BR />There was a further discussion about the possibility of extending the ban to include the use of e-cigarettes in vehicles. The Committee was advised that there was no power in primary legislation to allow the Department to do that. In follow-up correspondence, the Department advised that it would look at further evidence on the issue in the coming years, when further research had been completed. The Committee also sought some clarification on the rules applying to motorhomes and caravans when they are not stationary.”
“<BR /> <BR />The main focus of the discussions on smoke-free vehicles was enforcement and the fact that the PSNI and councils would be classed as enforcement agencies in the regulations. Officials advised that the key difference between the enforcement powers of the PSNI and the councils is that the PSNI has the power to stop vehicles. Members also sought clarity on who is liable for smoking in cars. We were advised that the driver of the car is always responsible for the offence of failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free vehicle and that it would be an additional offence where the person smoking is also liable. <BR /> <BR />There was a discussion about the number of children who would benefit from the rules being in place.”
“I will make some brief remarks as Chair. I will then make some additional, even briefer remarks as the party's health spokesman. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was briefed on this set of rules when it received the SL1s on 7 October. Officials outlined the purpose of the rules and answered questions from members. Committee members sought clarification of a number of issues. <BR /> <BR />Members raised the issue of the time that it has taken to introduce the regulations, given that they were first discussed in 2014 and the primary legislation was passed in 2016. Officials advised that a consultation took place between January and March 2017, during which time the Assembly went down. Further delays were caused by the pandemic and the involvement of officials in Brexit preparations. Therefore, the regulations could not be progressed until now.”
“Minister, we are still in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis, and we are, potentially, facing a very difficult winter that threatens to pile more pressure on an already beleaguered health and social care system. Maintaining strong public health messaging will be crucial to protecting our health service in the time ahead. Will the First Minister give a commitment that we will see no more intemperate or ill-judged outbursts from outliers in his party, who seem determined to undermine the public health messaging?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Thank you, Minister, for coming to make this statement today. I particularly note and welcome in your statement the fact that the need for PCR testing for this variant will be revisited and the fact that it was picked up via PCR testing. I put on record appreciation for the health experts in South Africa who were so prompt in alerting the world to this new variant. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you will be aware that the president of South Africa has raised the issue of global vaccine inequalities and how that is contributing to spread across the world. In the light of that, do you agree that initiatives for global equitable access to vaccines, treatments and therapies, such as the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) Right to Cure, are important for addressing the threat of COVID-19 on a global level?”