Oireachtas staff will be able to get free antigen tests from next week.
At a meeting of the Dáil's Business Committee this morning TDs were told from next week Oireachtas staff - including TDs and senators - will have access to free antigen tests.
The news prompted frustrated reactions from some Government and opposition politicians, amid growing calls for the rapid tests to be free for the general public.
Clarity from the Oireachtas here 👇
Business Committee members who were briefed earlier say they were told it would be free to politicians as well https://t.co/MaFQCij0wp
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 18, 2021
The Houses of the Oireachtas service - which is independent of Government - has since pushed back against the reports, saying the tests will not be free to TDs and senators.
They said tests will instead be provided to staff who have to be on-site - such as ushers and caterers.
However, members of the business committee have insisted they were told the service would be free to politicians as well.
The Houses of the Oireachtas has said, "the antigen tests will not be free to TDs and Senators.
NEW: Free antigen tests are to be made available to TDs and Senators and their staff from next week
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 18, 2021
"As an employer, the Houses of the Oireachtas Service is making tests available free of charge to its staff who have to be on site."
The Government parties has also said they will pay for the tests of their elected representatives and staff.
