Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Spratt for clarifying that. With regard to the list, freedom of movement is a right under EU law but, as with all rights, it is subject to the common good and public health considerations. I would have thought that any restriction must be proportionate and pursuant to law. Is it fair to suggest, as some earlier witnesses did, that what Ireland has determined to be proportionate is out of kilter with the rest of the European Union and that we have adopted a more cautious approach?

While no law has been put in place with regard to these restrictions, it has been made very difficult for people to travel to countries that are not on the green list. Private sector workers are being asked by their employers where they are going on holiday and with whom. That is unusual and has never happened before. Public sector employees, even those who have been asked to work from home for the past four months and may continue to do so, are being told they cannot work from home and must take leave if they holiday abroad. That is a barrier to going on holidays but it is not necessarily a barrier pursuant to law. I ask Mr. Spratt to comment on both those issues.