The upbeat comments from Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar on Covid-19 vaccine and lockdown

Optimism has been a sentiment in short supply in recent weeks, with increasingly bleak predictions from politicians and public health experts on the spread of Covid-19. 

But the events of recent days have offered scope for cautious hope that the situation might be turning. 

Senior Government ministers – as well as Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan – have attempted to buoy the mood of the country ahead of five weeks of strict lockdown measures.

Here’s the latest from Ireland’s top officials. 

‘We’re getting through this,’ vows Taoiseach

Micheál Martin has admitted that there are a “lot of bumpy roads ahead” when it comes to Ireland’s response to Covid-19, but declared: “We’re getting through this.”

The Taoiseach said every country in Europe is facing problems when it comes to the spread of the virus, but argued that Ireland’s “clear policy position” on the pandemic will help the country get through the coming weeks.

Micheal Martin (RTE)

“The strategy we are pursuing is to try and suppress the virus through human behaviour and through restrictions, and it is very difficult for people,” he told a virtual meeting of the MacGill Summer School.

“And I think we've learned from the first reopening that the next one is going to be important.

“But I will say that as a country we have managed to keep our economy viable and to keep the foundations right for a recovery after Covid.”

Tánaiste ‘optimistic’ Ireland could have vaccine by early 2021

Leo Varadkar has said he is “increasingly optimistic” that a Covid-19 vaccine could arrive on our shores by early or mid-2021. 

The Tánaiste said he is “increasingly optimistic, as is Government, that we will see a vaccine approved in the next couple of months.”

And he added that “in the first half if not the first quarter of next year, that it will be possible to start vaccinating those most at risk – healthcare workers and people with chronic illnesses.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Crispin Rodwell/The Irish Times/PA Wire)

Mr Varadkar told RTE his view is “based on information coming to us both from the companies that are developing it and from statements from the WHO, for example.”