Mattie McGrath demands full debate on vaccine passports 'medical apartheid'

Mattie McGrath pressed for parliamentary debate on cap reform negotiations and demanded a full House debate on vaccine passports, which he described as 'medical apartheid'. He warned the minister could sign a statutory instrument without debate and insisted the House must address the issue before the summer.

Key demands

McGrath said he had asked for a debate at the Business Committee on cap reform and on negotiations he described as vital to Ireland and the future of agriculture. He also called for a full, comprehensive debate in the House before the summer recess on vaccine passports.

Vaccine passports and 'medical apartheid'

He characterised vaccine passports as "medical apartheid" that the government now wants to implement, saying the policy would pit publicans and families against each other over who has a vaccine and who hasn't. He described the prospect as outrageous and shocking.

Minister and statutory instrument

McGrath warned that the minister can now sign whatever statutory instrument he wants, which is why he insisted parliamentary debate is necessary. He framed the demand as a matter of accountability and responsibility to the people.

Parliamentary accountability and consequences

He argued the House must have discourse and a formal debate on the measures rather than decisions being implemented without parliamentary scrutiny. McGrath emphasised the urgency of the debate before members rise for the summer recess.