I raise the important issue of the volunteers who have been working so hard in mass vaccination centres and Covid testing facilities all over the country. These are very fine people who, last March, signed up for what they thought was going to be a couple of months, but a couple of months has turned into a couple of years. Has thought been given to how the State will recognise the significant contribution these people have made during this time of national crisis? For instance, could a very small honorarium be considered so that they are not out of pocket? Alternatively, a framed certificate signed by the President could be provided to each of the volunteers or a reception could be arranged in Áras an Uachtaráin or in Leinster House for the volunteers and their families to mark their significant contribution. I know it means a lot to them because they are very special people. Many people talk about volunteering but these people have actually done it.

I thank the Deputy very much indeed for that thoughtful presentation. We will initiate and ensure the State does formally recognise the work of Covid volunteers.

I have met many of them in the vaccination centres. The vaccination programme has been unprecedented and very professionally operated, with more than 3.5 million doses now administered. It is an extraordinary achievement so far and we have a long way to go yet. We are highly appreciative of the important work where volunteers across the country have participated in the test centres and vaccination centres. I noted the very moving testimonies of Covid vaccine volunteers recently published in The Irish Times. I thank them all. We will explore and work with the Deputy and others in terms of devising the best mechanisms to recognise this outstanding act of volunteerism in the time of our country's need.

I return to the sad and scandalous closure of St. Brigid's hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. The Taoiseach told me in this Chamber four months ago that he would meet with Councillor Kieran Bourke and his Fianna Fáil colleagues in Tipperary County Council, the following morning if necessary. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, met with district councillors from Carrick-on-Suir ten days ago and she put the question to them whether they would put any of their loved ones in the hospital. A petition is being organised by Councillor Bourke and the volunteer and staff team in his full-time office to ask the people of Carrick-on-Suir, south Kilkenny, east Waterford and surrounding areas whether they would put their people into this respite hospital, including for palliative care. I know, before it comes back, that the answer will be 1,000% "Yes".

In view of this impending petition and the overwhelming support for the hospital, will the Taoiseach meet with Councillor Burke and the others, as he promised? They are his colleagues in the Fianna Fáil Party. Will he meet with the action committee, the wonderful doctors and nurses there and the members of the community who have put so much work into fundraising and everything else for the hospice beds and rooms? It is an excellent facility and it ill behoves the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to say it is about health and safety issues when it is not.

In fairness, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is a very sincere, genuine, diligent and hard-working Minister, who, generally speaking, does everything she possibly can to help Deputies across the House with issues. She travels the length and breadth of the country to try to resolve issues of this kind.

It is on her doorstep.

Her commitment cannot be questioned in that regard and nor can her desire to seek a reasonable and effective solution that can be executed and actioned. As I said before, I will meet with Councillor Kieran Bourke and his team. I do not have an issue with that and I will check with my office in terms of the logistics of it. I know Deputy Cahill and others have been in touch about it as well.