Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the fact that so many people could not access PCR tests and he told me that this was not a problem. Today, there are no PCR tests available in 14 counties according to the HSE's portal. There are no PCR tests available in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry, Laois, Louth and Leitrim.

For people experiencing symptoms or in a household where someone is experiencing symptoms, not being able to access these tests is frustrating and frightening. Indeed, many have had to travel up to four hours to access a test. That is not acceptable.

I want to know what is the Taoiseach doing about this and how we have allowed this to come to pass at a time where a surge was predicted. The surge has arrived and we find people left in these situations.

Let the Taoiseach not tell me that this is not an issue. It is a big issue for people across the State.

I felt it would be a difficult winter. Deputy McDonald obviously did not feel it would be a difficult winter because she opposed the extension of the emergency powers and opposed the vaccination certificates.

For the wonderful Minister to make a botch of it again.

The Deputy herself was not prepared for a surge. The Deputy seemed to be ill-prepared for it because she opposed measures that were required to deal with it.

On the PCR testing, I never said it was not challenging. It is now at 210,000 tests per week. There have been 1 million tests in the past month to six weeks.

Fourteen counties with none.

I remember Deputy McDonald complaining about it not being at 100,000.

That is correct.

It is at 210,000 tests per week. Let us be fair about it, and balanced. The HSE is doing everything it possibly can to expand PCR testing. Testing is at a level that we never thought we would need but, because of the Delta variant and how transmissible it is, it has created huge pressures on the system.

When will people in those 14 counties be able to get tests?

The Deputy should acknowledge the good work that is being done as well.