Public Petitions Committee to seek meeting with EU Ombudsman over vaccine rollout – Buttimer

The Oireachtas Public Petitions Committee is to request a meeting with the European Ombudsman over the EU’s handling of the pandemic and vaccine rollout, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Jerry Buttimer said Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has been monitoring how EU institutions responded to the Covid-19 crisis, the transparency of the information provided by the institutions and how they have communicated with the public.

Senator Buttimer said: “The European Ombudsman has looked into how the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, the European Medicines Agency, the European Council and the ECDC have responded to the pandemic.

“Ms O’Reilly recently said greater transparency was vital to maintain public trust as EU member states roll out Covid vaccines.

“As we all know, the EU has already approved three vaccines – BioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca/Oxford and Moderna – but unfortunately the inoculation campaign has been hit by some delays due to production issues.

“Today we have heard reports Johnson & Johnson has told the European Union it is facing supply issues that may complicate plans to deliver 55 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine to the bloc in the second quarter of the year.

“This vaccine is expected to be approved for use in the EU this week, and today’s reports may add fuel to some impatience at the pace of vaccination when compared to other countries outside the bloc.

“Along with fellow Fine Gael Oireachtas member, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, we have proposed the Public Petitions Committee invite the European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly before the committee to discuss the EU’s handling of the pandemic. That request will be prepared and sent in due course.

“I believe it is time for positive engagement with the Ombudsman to get a greater insight into her monitoring of the Institutions and the progress we know they are making and will help strengthen our relationship with our European colleagues as we work together in the fight against Covid.

“I look forward to engaging with the Ombudsman on this important issue.”