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09th Mar 2021

UK not “in a position” to give Covid-19 vaccines to Ireland

Stephen Porzio

Micheál Martin

The Taoiseach said the news was “fairly obvious”.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that he is not in a position to give Covid-19 vaccines over to Ireland, according to Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Speaking to reporters outside the Dáil on Tuesday, the Taoiseach revealed he had spoken with Johnson about the possibility, but said it would not be happening “right now”.

“The British Prime Minister has made it clear to me that obviously his first priority is to vaccinate his people,” Martin said.

“It would be very helpful to Ireland if the situation arose, but right now he has to concentrate on vaccinating his own people.

“Until then, he won’t be in a position to give vaccines to anybody.

“He has made that point to me which I think was fairly obvious at the outset in any event.”

The Taoiseach also gave details about a potential easing of restrictions next month, stating: “When it comes to the week before 5 April, we will examine the situation.”

He said that outdoor sporting activity could possibly return but that it would depend on Covid-19 case numbers.

The Taoiseach added that Ireland was “making progress as a country” in the fight against Covid-19.

Meanwhile, a “vaccine bonus” that would see people who have received their Covid-19 jab subject to more moderate restrictions than people who haven’t is being considered by NPHET, according to Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn.

Asked during Monday’s Covid-19 briefing if NPHET was working on separate guidelines for people that have been vaccinated, Dr Glynn confirmed the move.

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