Covid-19 Pandemic

Thursday, 22 April 2021

Questions (19)

John Brady

Question:

19. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the reason Israel has been removed from the list of countries required to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 3.5 million plus Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem who come under the direct control of the Israeli Government have not been given access by Israel to the Covid-19 vaccine; his views on whether that by differentiating between Israelis and Palestinians this leads to further victimisation of Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20936/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Designation of states is a matter primarily for the Minister for Health, under section 38E (1) of the Health Act 1947 (inserted by section 7 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021). It provides the Minister for Health, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, to specify additional states as designated states , following consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and such other Ministers that are considered appropriate (Section 38E (3) of the Act refers). The Act also provides for the revocation of designation from states under Section 38E (4).

On 11th April, the Minister for Health revoked the designation of Albania, Israel, and Saint Lucia in accordance with Section 38E(4) of the Health Act 1947 based on the advice of the Acting Chief Medical Officer, and following the recommendation of the Expert Advisory Group on Travel.

The Expert Advisory Group on Travel (EAGT) was established on 1 March 2021 and was charged with developing a methodology for risk assessments to inform the categorisation of countries and consider the broader issues relating to travel. The list of countries is kept under ongoing review by the EAGT.

Foreign Policy matters are the responsibility of the Minister Foreign Affairs.