Ireland will learn from EU countries that use rapid antigen testing for indoor dining, according to the chair of the new taskforce on the technology.

Professor Mary Horgan, President of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland is heading up the new rapid testing advisory group.

The Government ordered Ferguson Report called for the group to be established when it recommended the introduction of rapid tests back in April.

It also comes after the Government delayed the reopening of indoor dining until a system is in place to check whether customers are either fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID.

It leaves Ireland as the only country in Europe without indoor dining.

Eight countries require some form of ‘corona pass’ to eat indoors; however, they all accept antigen testing as a means of getting the pass.

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Professor Horgan said the group would examine the experiences of other countries who are making use of antigen testing.

“I think it is really important that we look at the experiences of other countries - how they do it and what their experiences have been - and try to align ourselves as much as we can to other EU countries where we know this is being done,” she said.

“It is always important to learn from the experience of others, particularly with a rapidly evolving situation.

“There is no point in re-inventing the wheel if we find systems that really work well, both in how they do it and what it allows people to do.”

“I think this is more about case detection – being able to identify those people that are most at risk of spreading COVID in whatever environment they come so that they can stay at home, supported by PCR testing.

“But that is something I think is really important – that we learn from the experience of others.”

People enjoy food and drink on Parliament Street on the first Saturday of outdoor dining, 12-06-2021. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Prof Horgan noted that she has yet to receive the terms of reference from the Government but would assume that the QR technologies used in other countries to verify testing would be considered.

She also suggested the new  EU Digital Green Certificate could be used.

“There would be potentially a link with the COVID passport,” she said.

“There is no point in doing two things and there is also, as I said before, no point in reinventing the wheel if there are technologies out there that are fit for purpose.”

The Government has yet to put forward a timescale for when the group should report back, but Prof Horgan said she is “sure that will be imminent and I am sure it will be very short.”

“Like most people, including the Government, I want this done as quickly as possible and we will certainly endeavour to meet all the timelines with the support we are getting from the Government in getting this group together and the resources that are absolutely essential to ensure the work of implementation is there,” she said.

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