Mr. Paul Reid:

The Deputy's points are well made and I will make a few comments in response. I believe the trends that we have seen recently can be turned around. We have done it before and the public can do it again. We need to give the public hope and confidence. The public wants predictability and, much of the time, we can only provide uncertainty but that is the reality of the virus, as I reflected on in my opening statement.

Some of the comments that the Deputy made are true. We need the public to work strongly with us. Social distancing, reducing social gatherings and contacts make a huge impact. The inverse is also true and increasing one's contacts increases the possibility of contracting the disease. Increasing one's social gatherings increases the potential of the virus to spread. Decreasing one's social distancing and gathering with others leaves one at a wide risk of contracting the virus. From the perspective of the HSE, we need a strong call to arms to the public to work strongly with us in the coming days and weeks. This can be turned around. We know we can reduce the impact of the virus on our hospitals and community services but it really needs a galvanised public to hold arms with us.