Seanad passes motion calling for waiver on Covid-19 vaccine technology

The motion called for the suspension of the vaccine patents to allow technology to be shared to facilitate the production of vaccines on a wider scale

Campaigners argue the waiver would allow widespread production of vaccines for poorer countries. File photo

A motion calling for the Government to support a TRIPs waiver on Covid vaccines passed the Seanad on Wednesday night.

The motion, brought by independent senator Alice Mary Higgins, passed after two government Senators - Fianna Fáil's Malcolm Byrne and the Green Party's Róisín Garvey - indicated they would not support a government counter-motion on the issue.