Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's five minutes are up but he may come in again at the end.

I have a question on the introduction of the latest regulations. Regulations are often introduced before they are announced. They could take effect on Monday morning and are published on Monday afternoon at the earliest. Under the regulations on wearing a face mask on public transport, it was only an offence to refuse to co-operate if either an employee of a bus company or the NTA asked a person to wear a mask and he or she refused to do so. The Garda was not the first line of enforcement. Given the crucial role of employees of bus and other transport companies, what consultation was there with bus and rail workers in advance of the introduction of the regulations which made them primarily responsible?