Confusion remains over Covid certificates for those who have had the virus
A working group will set out the detail of the Covid-19 certificates in the coming days, Minister Eamon Ryan has said.
More than 1.8 million certificates will be delivered to people who are fully vaccinated by July 19th, to allow them to avail of indoor hospitality and international travel.
People who have recovered from Covid-19 will also be allowed to use indoor hospitality, but it is unclear how they will be provided with certification to prove their immunity, having had the disease.
Hospitality meeting
Representatives from the hospitality sector have met with the Government again today regarding the reopening of indoor dining.
After the Cabinet agreed on legislation to allow people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or have recently recovered from the virus to dine indoors, the proposal was discussed in the Dáil today.
Opposition parties criticised the proposed legislation, calling it “a convoluted plan that won’t be enforceable”, with warnings that it could create “confusion and inconsistency”.
Following today's meeting, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) also expressed “significant concerns” over the new system, which the group described as "discriminatory".
Digital Covid certs
Up to a million Covid digital green certificates for travel are to be issued by email on Wednesday to people who are fully vaccinated, an Oireachtas committee has been told.
The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications was told that more than 1.8 million certificates will be delivered to people who are fully vaccinated by July 19th.
However, Liz Canavan, assistant secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach, warned that they may face a small backlog over the coming days.
The certs will enable people who are fully vaccinated, or have recently recovered from the virus to travel within the EU without the need to quarantine and avail of indoor dining when the sector further reopens.
HSE settlement
University Hospital Kerry has apologised and acknowledged the “deficits in care” which resulted in the untimely death of a 37-year-old father of two.
Pro-golfer Liam Duggan died of a rare form of colitis after he had attended at University Hospital Kerry, Tralee in 2017.
The High Court today heard an apology was given to Mr Duggan’s widow Catherine, and she has settled a High Court action over his death.
In a statement outside the Four Courts afterwards, Mrs Duggan said the loss of her husband left her two children, Jack and Amelia, shattered.
New TD on the block
Following her win in the Dublin Bay South byelection last week, Labour's Ivana Bacik took up her seat in the Dáil for the first time today.
Speaking on the order of businesses in the Dáil this afternoon, Ms Bacik raised the issue of renter rights after thanking members of her campaign team for their work during the byelection.
Covid cases
An additional 589 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland today.
There are 62 coronavirus patients being treated in Irish hospitals, with 17 in ICU.
New hydrogen buses
Three new hydrogen-powered zero emissions buses have been described as a “momentous step forward” towards decarbonising Ireland’s public transport network.
Transport, Climate and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan launched the €2.4 million pilot scheme on Tuesday, with the fleet set to operate from next week on commuter services in the Greater Dublin Area.
It is the first scheme of its kind in Ireland and the buses are three of only 4,200 hydrogen powered vehicles worldwide.
