The Taoiseach has revealed the AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine won't arrive in Ireland until the middle of next month, at the earliest.
The European Medicines Agency is expected to approve the vaccine at the end of this month.
It would mean that three covid-19 vaccines are authorised for use across the EU.
The government is estimating that 142,000 people will have received their first dose of a vaccine by Sunday.
The Taoiseach says the approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine would allow Ireland to ramp up the volume of vaccinations.
Micheal Martin told the Dail that it should be authorised on January 29th.
He said, "We have a much more comprehensive and detailed plan in terms of ramping up the volume for the next phase, particularly after the authorisation...of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which should be on the 29th from the European Medicines Agency and then for delivery...in mid-February".
