Last month was the 20th anniversary of a meeting that the Taoiseach and I attended with Margaret Best and officials from the Department of Health about the State's introduction of a no-fault vaccine compensation scheme. Over the past two decades, while governments have been committed to the introduction of such a scheme in the interests of public health and the individuals concerned, we have always remained one report away from action. Now we have all of those reports on the desk of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. When can we expect the commitment, which has been promised for a long time, to be implemented?

I agree entirely with the Deputy's sentiment. We need this scheme. There have been multiple reports on it. It is being worked on. Unfortunately, it was delayed somewhat by Covid. I know the Deputy will appreciate that many of the resources of the Department and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor had to be diverted to requirements arising due to Covid. It is being looked at. We need to go further because there has been a growing medical negligence sector. Many doctors report that they have to practise defensive medicine, which is in nobody's interests. We need to introduce the scheme. I will revert to the Deputy with a note on that. We need to go further.