I raised with the Taoiseach yesterday the issue of access to maternity services for the partners of those giving birth. The Tánaiste might confirm whether we will be getting news on this today because I have been raising the issue in the House for seven months.

Another issue I have been raising here for seven months - we were sitting in Leinster House when I first raised it, in October - is that of antigen testing. It is connected with access to maternity services because, for the reopening of businesses and services the Government is hoping to announce later, antigen testing has to have a role. Is the Government going to follow the UK's lead, where seven free antigen tests are being given to everyone? As regards reopening businesses and society, antigen testing has a very significant role to play. We have had promises in the past and I am sick and tired of raising it here.

I would appreciate a positive response to both issues.

The matter of visits to maternity hospitals is under consideration, although I do not know whether there will be an announcement on it today. A strong case is being made for partners to be able to attend antenatal appointments and that is currently under consideration. The change in vaccine guidance is helpful. The national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, has now advised that pregnant women should receive the vaccine. It will be made available to them and I think that will help the situation.

On antigen testing, there are no plans at the moment to provide free tests to members of the public but antigen testing is now being used much more frequently throughout the country. It was used to test everyone recently at Intel following the outbreak there and will be used more extensively in schools, colleges and workplaces. I expect that the revised protocol on safe working, which my Department is developing in consultation with unions and employers, will have a specific section on antigen testing in workplaces.