Dr. Siobhán Kennelly:

From our point of view, as clinicians, this is a critical issue. We recognise that there is significant morbidity and a significant impact arising from the visiting restrictions that have taken place, both at the height of the pandemic and as we start to open up. Clearly, it is about striking a balance, particularly in Dublin and elsewhere where there have been very high rates of community transmission, as alluded to previously. It is about how we continue to maintain the welfare of residents while allowing them to have visits on an ongoing basis. Significant work is being done by me and my colleagues in public health and in infection, prevention and control to achieve that balance in accordance with the Government action plan and its five levels and how the plan might translate over time. That is a critical factor. We hope that, even in circumstances were we will potentially have significant outbreaks, we will continue to have visiting at all times. It depends on the issues that arise for the nursing homes on different occasions.