Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD has welcomed the decision by the Oireachtas to abandon its plan to give free antigen tests to politicians.

Teachta Doherty said:

“I raised the utterly ridiculous suggestion that TDs and Senators should be offered free antigen testing – while ordinary workers and families are being forced to pay for them – in the Dáil earlier today.

“I welcome the fact that the Oireachtas has now changed its position. It is ludicrous that this suggestion could be entertained at a time when the government has no coherent policy in respect of antigen testing.

“Antigen testing needs to be rolled out widely and they need to be free; just like they are in the north. That must be a government priority.”