The Health Minister has insisted the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Ireland is 'not slow'.
He said authorities are moving as 'fast as is it is possible to move', and that the only constraint is around supply.
There has been growing criticism of the speed of the rollout of vaccines in Europe compared to what has been seen in the likes of the UK, US and Israel.
Around 40,000 vaccines are set to be administered here each week over the coming month, with the Taoiseach saying around 135,000 people will have received their two doses by the end of February.
Meanwhile, the EU yesterday approved the use of a second vaccine - manufactured by Moderna - and doses are set to start arriving in Ireland shortly.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Donnelly defended the vaccination programme here.
He said: “In Ireland, the approach we’re taking very clearly is that the only constraint on vaccinations will be the arrival of vaccines here in Ireland.
"That’s it. We’re moving as fast as it is possible to move.
“We’re not slow. Ireland has pre-ordered around 15 million or more doses of vaccine.
"It’s a question of how quickly the manufacturers can make it, and then Ireland gets the exact same per capita as the rest of the EU."
It’s just started to snow at the Department of Health. Heading in now to work through the deliveries of Moderna we should be expecting in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/KLeMHFVUfk
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) January 7, 2021
The Health Minister said both Ireland and the EU have advanced purchases 'huge amounts' of vaccines.
He said 40,000 doses are arriving here a week, and 'we're vaccinating at that pace as well'.
He told Ciara that the provisional delivery schedule for the Moderna vaccine was received last night, and administering it and any other approved vaccines will start 'within days' of EU approval.
