Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

That is fine. The point I want to make is that if it is not their job to query that advice, it is their job to look after the occupants of direct provision. I am of the view that those two things are contradictory. The Minister recently stated on radio that they are in his care and if anyone works for the Minister, surely their care should matter to those who look after them.

On 12 March, the Taoiseach stated that gatherings of 100 or more people indoors should be cancelled. The provision of services in the canteen at Knockalisheen direct provision centre, where over 200 asylum seekers receive their meals, was not cancelled. Distancing in areas such as communal toilets and showers in Kinsale Road, Great Western House, the Glenvera Hotel, Hazel Lodge, Clare Lodge, Cahersiveen and other locations was not possible and did not happen.

The residents in Cahersiveen received a letter, which I presume came from the Department, although the witnesses might clarify that. It stated that, unfortunately, there had been two new confirmed cases in the past week and that this was clear evidence that some residents were not following the public health recommendations, thereby causing further infection. It also stated that the period of advised restrictions on movement would need to be extended for a further 14 days and that because social distancing was not being followed by everybody, the period of recommended self-isolation was to be extended. Translating this into layman's terms, it means that the residents of these areas who cannot self-isolate or socially distance correctly are being blamed for their own plight. Will the witnesses comment?