HSE Chief Executive warns Ireland will be dealing with Covid-19 for a long time 

Paul Reid will tell the Oireachtas Committee that shipments of the flu vaccine are expected to arrive in Ireland before the end of October. Photograph: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

The chief executive of the HSE, Paul Reid, will tell the Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 that Ireland will be dealing with the virus for a long time, even if a vaccine is rolled out. 

This afternoon Mr Reid will warn politicians that several waves of Covid-19 are on the way and that a "community first" approach should be taken to combat the challenges of the upcoming winter period.