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THE TAOISEACH HAS said he will not skip the queue to get a Covid-19 vaccine before the end of this year.
Under the government’s Covid-19 vaccination strategy, residents over the age of 65 at longterm residential care centres and healthcare workers with direct patient contact will be first to receive the vaccine.
Speaking this morning on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Martin said he would have “no issue” with being vaccinated in public, but he will wait his turn.
“The only issue is that I want to be in sequence, I believe in following the guidance from those who are advising on immunisation and that we’ll do it in order,” he said.
The advice is that any available vaccine now should go to somebody who needs it to stay alive or who needs it to avoid serious illness. And given the fact that we have low volumes coming in at the end of this month, I think it should go to somebody who actually needs it more than I need it.
The first vaccines in Ireland will be administered on 30 December. Cabinet has been told that some 10,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are expected to be delivered before Christmas.
The government yesterday announced new restrictions, with some kicking in from Christmas Eve. Restaurants and gastro-pubs and personal services such as hairdressers will have to close from 24 December. From 27 December, household visits will reduce from two households to just one and inter-county travel will be restricted.
Following the announcement, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said it will likely be Spring before tight restrictions can begin to be lifted. Martin said large-scale vaccination will allow the government to ease up on restrictions.
He said until there is “a critical mass of the population vaccinated”, it will not be possible to significantly relax measures.
“I think we will have to review some measures on the 12th [of January[, we’ll see where we are – and that works both ways. Certainly in terms of hospitality there are challenges in terms, but in terms of personal services, we’ll look at that again on the 12th.”
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Not a FF supporter by any means, but I’m truly getting sickened by the continuous criticisms and berating that Martin, Varadkar, and a lot of other politicians are facing. This is, unfortunately, a horrible time for many around Ireland, whether they have been directly affected by covid with a relative or friend being seriously ill, or indirectly affected through being laid off from work.
I have no issue with constructive criticism whereby people are offering useful alternative viewpoints to that of politicians, as that is initially a fundamental aspect of democracy.
However, my problem is mainly with people scattered throughout social media who are using covid to lambast politicians at any opportunity. Some have gone as far as wholeheartedly blaming politicians for the covid crisis. No country in the world has handled this unprecedented scenario perfectly, please remember that.
Once again, just to add as I will probably be labelled as being a FFG supporter, I have been heavily critical of them in the past and did not vote for any of them last February
@Bobby: exactly! If I see one more comment where some auld lad think he’s really clever calling him “mehole” I’ll tear my hair out. Childish name calling is more prevalent than constructive criticism these days sadly
@Spongetron: it’s the society we live in unfortunately today. People are all quick to advocate for mental health and raise awareness on it when it, but then proceed to constantly attack politicians on social media. Martin is certainly not doing a perfect job, but I don’t think a single politician worldwide has. Targeting and vollifying him says a lot about the type of person you are tbh
@Bobby: not every country in the world has a natural barrier of living on an island. The refused to close the doors first time and kept the people coming in. No a new strain and stl no borders closed. The have been the conductors of a sh!t show from the very beginning blaming everyone and anyone and bone of them have taken any responsibility whatsoever
@Spongetron: Its the same clueless people posting nonsense constantly. Have no clue as to anything and yet somehow consider themselves experts in pretty much every area because they read a Facebook post.
@Bobby: Perhaps if modern journalists did a bit of hard questioning and criticizing there wouldn’t be so many ‘amateurs’ trying it….seems to me there’s a weak media trotting out prepared statements…can’t remember the last time I saw a politician really challenged intelligently by a media person but there again I think I’ve stopped watching…it’s kind of good to hear from ‘real’ people in comments also…once you get past the trolls :-)
@Seosamh Ohuaine: The border comment shows how truly clueless you are.
@Seosamh Ohuaine: We live on an island with over 350 road crossings into another jurisdiction unfortunately. The tribal nature of leadership north of the border is also a major barrier to any constructive steps being taken in a timely manner and this is adding to our numbers in border areas. Not near as straightforward as you might think.
@Spartacus Ireland: Well said, in the vacuum created by the lack of an impartial media who are prepared to investigate and ask hard questions of politicians we are left with an apathy created by unanswered questions.
This is what happens when the media’s political leaning is one-sided and broadly in agreement/lock-step with the government’s actions through their policies.
@Bobby: why, they are the worst government in the history of the state, one disaster after another, take a step back and look at their track record since they took office, never in my entire life have I seen such utter incompetece
@Bobby: those in charge minimised the threat, vacillated, issued bad advice or seemed more interested in their own political fortunes than in their country—sometimes all at once.
@Hossam Ibrahim: I agree with what you said..being a global issue with regard to handling the pandemic. However, changing behaviour requires clear communication from trusted figures, national and local. But many people do not believe their politicians.
@Bobby: You speak for yourself Bobby and what you think or what issues you have.
But let me tell you one thing, A lot of people have issues with politicians who told lots of lies to get elected in first place. This FG,FF,G lot can not be trusted with what they are telling us.
@Michael Maher: 100% cannot be trusted under any circumstances, one catastrophy after another
@Bobby: The problem is they are disingenuous. To deal with Covid the country needs to go into a 6 – 8 week TOTAL lockdown. Food shops, petrol stations and pharmacies should remain open. This is not going to happen.
To be fair Micheal set himself up for criticism when he said we did not bailout the banks during the week.
Leo didn’t help himself either by committing a sackable offence by leaking documents.
The gang in the Dáil as a whole didn’t help themselves by taking a pay increase and by rejecting a bill to pay student nurses.
Then you have the expenses claims. Sure leaving the money in the state coffers won’t solve any economic problem but it would show that at a minimum politicians are in line with the pain felt by people rather than doing an Eamon Ryan and sleeping through the crisis.
@Bobby: They took a payrise and are not financially affected by lockdowns. Just saying.
@Bobby: What if we treated all opinions with respect and put them out in public as if we were talking to our Gran? Happy Christmas, everyone. May your 2021 be full of people you love and who live you in return.
@Corkonian In Dublin: if we do that cases may plummet to 0 in Ireland. However, all it takes is one infected person to reenter the country and the whole thing kicks off again. Not to overlook the fact that we also have two separate jurisdictions on the same island, with several in the Republic working and traveling to the North daily, and visa versa. A 6-8 week total lockdown will not work
@Bobby: Well then we just have to accept the loss of life for the benefit of the economy. I hope Covid doesn’t touch your family. Once at a level 0 we could do what other countries do. When people arrive they are quarantined for 14 days in dedicated centres (at their own expense). What it also means is the end of the two week holiday. A small price to pay.
@Seosamh Ohuaine: The mind boggles with your comment.
@Seosamh Ohuaine: We are in the same position as most countries in that we share a border with another country…..
Think Leo should administer the jab to Míchál live on TV…it’d make a change to politicians stabbing each other in the back :-)
@Spartacus Ireland: Leo would announce Martin’s vaccination before he even knew about it
@Ned Gerblansky: Sure isn’t Leo still doing a few shifts in the A & E
@Spartacus Ireland: He wouldn’t work to warm himself.
Be first – show the people it can be trusted
@Sean Lucas: he can’t win. People will complain either way.
@Paul Furey: very true
@Sean Lucas: a few weeks ago he was the worst in the world and it was a PR stunt for saying he’d publicly take it. If he doesn’t take it immediately he’s using the public as guinea pigs and if he does he’s jumping the que
@Sean Lucas: a few weeks ago he was the worst in the world and it was a PR stunt for saying he’d publicly take it. If he doesn’t take it immediately he’s using the public as guinea pigs and if he does he’s jumping the que
@Sean Lucas: No need if you are educated enough to believe in science… The stats speak for themselves.
He’ll be criticised for getting it 1st and also criticised for not getting it 1st ,well in the comments here anyways
@flexfinn: and the thing is it’d be the same people complaining whether he skipped the queue or not
As hopeless as he is all of major government players should get the jab straight away
Lead by example. Get vaccinated.
@Willie Riordan: lead by example, wait your turn
If he gets sick there is someone to step into his job and pick up the slack. That is not true of everyone. There are plenty of people who will literally have no one to care for them if their carer gets sick. With only 10,000 doses in the first batch, they should go to doctors, nurses, carers, and the vunrable etc. There are 350, 000 family carers in this country propping up the health service. If they start getting sick, then we will see a real health service disaster.
Not a fan of his but I thought his speech yesterday was his best in a long time, first time someone spoke from the heart.
Just happened to watch the classic comedy Yes Prime-minster last night, everything he would state, he would do the other. So don’t believe it for one minute :)
@Maurice Frazer: that’s great, between civil servants wanting to do nothing, and politicians obsessed with the newspapers – and bouncing each other to decisions.
Gwan MM show the country some leadership
He’s at it again, double speak
Me-hole the scary chicken !!!
@Dolphins: “mehole” stopped being a clever quip about 9 years ago mate
@Spongetron: Not for the dullards it hasn’t.
@Gavin Conran: I’d say they’re the same people who send you a terrible meme like “have you seen this?” and it’s just a daft joke about “the wife” next to a cartoon of some dude barbecuing
I’m not a fan, and I listened with relish to him squirm this morning as Claire Byrne took him asunder for disregarding NPHET’s recent warnings about the imminent crisis. That said, I think his justification for not receiving an early vaccine In uncharacteristically noble for a FF politician.
The Q is three weeks old Many have suffered because we had to wait for our masters in the EU to give us the ok ,,,,,
@John Rownano: So what should have happened instead? We should have started rolling out the vaccine before it was deemed safe to do so? Yeah I am sure that would have went down well. In fact, I’m willing to bet you would be among the first on here complaining about it. FYI – we are the EU
Leo the lion is in health care so no welching it from him I hope
This shouldn’t be an option for him, a real leader would have it done already
I see FF’s new social media presence is starting to show itself..
Who would genuinely like to be in Government at this time, a balancing act of keeping a semblance of an economy going, and trying to keep the vulnerable safe. In trying to accomplish any of this is a tall order, for any Government worldwide right now.
He said ge would be first but not as a publicity stunt so up to the front Taoisech and show leadership unless he’s the cabinet member reported to be covid positive so should be immune for a while. Whoever it is i wish them a good recovery. Will they qualify for the pup????
@Dangling Damo: I’m guessing they get sick pay like all civil servants?
What is the point of leaders getting the shot in public if we cant know for sure they are getting the covid vaccine or something else just to fool the public?
@Merlin Lancelot: leaders shot in public mmm perish the thought. Just publicity hunting gesture and our politicians could not be accused of that
@Merlin Lancelot: uhhh.. That’s taking conspiracy theories to a complete different level now.. How do we know the world around us really exists, anyway? We could be all in a big matrix, being tricked by manipulation on our brains.. Who knows.. Better wear that tinfoil hat, just in case!
10,000 vaccines per week verses 3.25million required- 70% of our population. We have more things to be worried about. Rapid Procurement and roll out. Not which, high up civil servant gets it.
@Muckser Maher: if we’re looking for someone to lead and inspire public confidence in what we’re sick being told is “a necessary tool in our fight against the virus”, public figures are needed to get the ball rolling. MM could be onesuch but he won’t.skip the queue.
Yea I wounder why he’s not in a hurry to get it after all he’s running the country well supposed to be anyway
Think he should
Interesting article last February from the Lancet a world leading medical journal in paragraph 3 said a vaccine is 12 to 18 months away. Amazing how quickly they were created.
@Dangling Damo: not really, it’s so similar to SARS it took a few chemist’s only hours to create the initial vaccine. Getting it produced in plant scale volumes, validation and passing 2 or 3 trial stages to see how well it takes and works across a range of different categories of patients takes time. To rush it and have immediate news spread that it made hundreds or thousands ill would be detrimental to its reliability and would lead to dismal no uptake among the public.
A decent auld skin is Michael
We bought millions of doses of Tamiflu – remember? And now we have a measly 10K in Covid19 to go round for 5M. I’m sure we’re not high on the list for re-orders – thanks for saving me a dose An Taoiseach!
Because is fakeeee
@Mislav Smok: well, that’s almost a sentence
So have Micheal.and Leo had their Covid-19 vaccines? Asking for a mate
I think the country could spare 200-odd doses to have some leadership shown from Dail & Seanad Eireann alike. Instead we’re getting this cowardly act of false chivalry. It won’t be Easter before they’re wagging the finger telling us the uptake or participation isn’t high enough.
AH PLEASE DO
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