Giving an update as to whether international travel will be possible this summer, Taoiseach Michéal Martin commented that the country still has a “significant journey to go”.
Appearing on CBS over the weekend, presenter Margaret Brennan questioned Michéal Martin on a number of different matters – including whether he expects current travel restrictions to be lifted ahead of this summer.
Emphasising that it’s “far too early to say yet”, the Taoiseach did say that he believes “opportunities will arise” as the vaccination programme rolls out.
“As the vaccination program rolls out, I believe opportunities will arise, but it’s just far too early to say yet. And particularly in the context of the summer, we have a significant journey still to go in terms of vaccinations and in terms of keeping the virus down.”
Asked whether Ireland will be looking for vaccine supply from the US Stockpile, Martin said that while he will be discussing Covid and vaccinations with President Biden, he’s “not aware of too many countries that are giving their vaccines away”.
“I’m not pre-empting any discussions I will have in detail with the president, but obviously the broader Covid vaccination issue will, of course, be discussed.”
Also speaking as to Irish people can expect a presidential visit from Joe Biden, Martin said that he extended the invitation to his US counterpart when they spoke back in November.
“When I spoke to him in November, I invited him to Ireland and he just said to me, ‘try and keep me out’. So that- that means it’s a live possibility.
“At any stage, it’s a live possibility that President Biden could arrive on our shores. And I can tell you he would be most welcome because we really appreciate the warmth that he has for Ireland.”
