I wish to raise the issue of vitamin D supplementation as part of a suite of measures to help to protect our citizens against Covid-19. We all know that the vaccination roll-out will be somewhat delayed and we still do not know if the vaccine will prevent transmission of the virus. We also know that many new variants are emerging and will continue to emerge over the next period. Therefore, it is pretty clear that the fight against Covid-19 nationally and globally will be much longer than we had hoped. I am being as positive as I can be in saying that.

All ways and means that we have as individuals to protect ourselves, those we care for, our neighbours and friends should be deployed. I have listened to many medics, including Professor Luke O'Neill. This morning he recognised and supported the role of vitamin D in boosting the immune system and thus helping to protect people from different viruses, including Covid-19. I believe that the UK is about to mandate vitamin D supplementation to help protect its citizens. I acknowledge that there have been no double-blind placebo chemical trials but more and more medics, as opposed to alternative healthcare practitioners, are saying that vitamin D has a positive impact.

The Tánaiste and all other Members want to ensure that our citizens have the very best protection. We agree with the overall approach involving handwashing, the wearing of masks and social distancing, but vitamin D supplementation has a role to play. In my view, and in that of many medics in this country and across the globe, this role is significant. One way or the other, vitamin D plays an important role in supporting our immune systems in fighting Covid-19. That is also what vaccines do. Vaccines do not kill Covid-19, they help our immune systems to fight it. Vitamin D can do likewise. Will the Tánaiste look at the advice in respect of vitamin D supplementation?

I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this issue because I know it has been a topic of discussion among the general public and among healthcare professionals over recent weeks. The issue was previously raised by Deputy McNamara so I looked into it. As everyone in the House knows, many Irish people are deficient in vitamin D, not least because we do not have much exposure to the sun, a situation that is now worse than ever because people are unable to travel to sunshine destinations. There is evidence that vitamin D may be of benefit in the context of Covid-19 outcomes and there is very little evidence that the taking of vitamin D supplements causes harm. There is research on this matter from Spain, from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, from Trinity and from TU Dublin and articles have been published in the Irish Medical Journal. The respected medical journal, The Lancet, says that it is uncontroversial to promote it and that it may be beneficial with regard to Covid-19 outcomes. Government has asked NPHET to examine the issue and to provide us with formal advice which we can stand over and give to the general public.

The HSE says that people do not need vitamin D in their diet every day because it does not need to be immediately stored for future use. However, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the HSE recommend that all babies receive a vitamin D supplement during their first year of life. Vitamin D3 is the preferred form of the supplement for infants. Most people should be able to get enough vitamin D by eating a varied and balanced diet and getting some sun, if possible, although that is very hard at the moment, as people will know. If one takes vitamin D supplements, one should be careful not to take too much. Taking 25 mcg or less per day is unlikely to cause any harm and may be of some benefit.

I am pleased to hear that, like many people, the Tánaiste is open to the real possibility - in my view it is a certainty - that vitamin D supplementation may help. The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that a cause-and-effect relationship has been established between dietary intake of vitamin D and normal functioning of the immune system. The Tánaiste has mentioned this. We know that we do not have enough sunshine in this part of the world to ensure a sufficient dietary intake. Vitamin D protects the immune system, which is the single most important weapon we have to protect us against Covid-19. It is more important than masks, social distancing and so on. Our immune system protects our bodies. I ask the Tánaiste to give the strongest possible consideration to looking at the possibility that supplementation with vitamin D, along with all of the other measures, could help to protect our citizens.

I again thank the Deputy. As I am sure she will appreciate, notwithstanding my background as a doctor, I am here as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and do not wish to dispense medical advice as to which supplements people should or should not take. As the Deputy stated, there is evidence that vitamin D can be beneficial in the context of Covid-19 and there is very little evidence that taking supplements of 25 mcg per day does any harm. We have asked NPHET to examine the matter and to give us further advice, which we can then share with the public, as to whether we should issue a general public advisory in this regard. It is to be hoped that we will have that advice soon.