Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has been informed by the Minister for Health that the Government has decided to create a specific portal to enable Irish citizens vaccinated outside of the EU to obtain a Covid certificate valid in Ireland and across the EU.

Deputy Brendan Smith had raised with the Minister the case of some Irish residents living in border areas who have encountered problems while trying to obtain an EU Digital Covid Certificate.

In response to Deputy Brendan Smith’s Parliamentary Question, the Minister for Health stated: “The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation (2021/953) allows Member States the option to issue vaccination certificates to EU citizens and family members vaccinated in third countries. Such persons do not have a right to receive a Digital COVID Certificate and it is up to each individual member state to decide if and how to provide such certificates.

“Following the successful rollout of the initial implementation phase of the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Ireland, the Government has decided to create a specific portal to enable Irish citizens vaccinated outside of the EU, with vaccines authorised for use in Ireland, to obtain a COVID certificate valid in Ireland and across the EU.

“This portal is currently being advanced on a cross departmental basis involving technical and process development, and resource management. It is expected that an announcement on the launch of this portal will be made shortly.

“Under the EU regulation persons are entitled to request a Digital COVID Certificate stating they have received a single dose of vaccination in an EU Member State. Such requests can be made through the helpline.”

ENDS