The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has admitted the Government is 'obviously disappointed' with some of the issues around the coronavirus vaccine rollout so far.
It comes as Ireland is set to receive less than half the deliveries it originally expected in the first three months of the year.
The target of vaccines arriving up to the end of March has been revised downwards - from 1.2 million to 1.1 million.
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane says the target was originally at 1.7 million and then 1.4 million, but has been moved "mainly due to AstraZeneca".
Mr Reid said the Dept and ultimately the Minister for Health is responsible for the supply side including engagement with pharma companies on meeting scheduled delivery targets & any procurement of additional vaccines. The Minister cannot pass the buck to others.
— David Cullinane T.D. (@davidcullinane) March 9, 2021
Almost 150,000 people have been fully vaccinated in the country to date, and there have been ongoing issues with delays and supplies.
Mr Martin said while supply is set to increase, there have been setbacks.
"The vaccine supply will pick up significantly in quarter two, and we have more vaccines coming on stream than the ones we currently have - which will also help.
"Well obviously we're disappointed with quarter one, in terms of some of the issues - but in terms of protecting the most vulnerable, we've made progress on that.
"And the impact of the vaccines is very positive, and we've seen that in terms of frontline healthcare workers, hospitals and nursing homes in particular.
"And now out in the community in the over-80s, so that's good news - we have very good vaccines that are giving protection to people as well".
On suggestions Ireland could buy surplus vaccines from the UK, he said: "The British Prime Minister has made it clear to me that obviously his first priority is to vaccinate his people.
"He obviously will be very helpful to Ireland if the situation arose, but right now he has to concentrate on vaccinating his own people.
"And until then, he won't be in a position to give vaccines to anybody - and he's made that point to me, which I think was fairly obvious at the outset in any event".
Mr Martin also praised people for their efforts so far.
"We are making progress as a country, and I just want to say that to people: their behaviour, their adherence to the regulations does matter - particularly in the context of a variant - it is bearing fruit.
"We are taking the pressure off the frontline healthcare workers very significantly now, have been doing that over the last number of weeks and we'll continue to do that throughout March.
"And we will be in a better position then, before the 5th of April, to make informed decisions".
Additional reporting: Stephanie Rohan
