Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There has always been a campaign to watch one's neighbours in isolation and be careful of them. Now we are told we should limit our contacts. I am not saying we should not limit our contacts but there is an obvious conflict there and there are issues with urban and rural isolation and with mental health difficulties in a long northern European winter. I worry for my neighbours, my family and the fabric of the society I live in every bit as much as I worry about Covid, which I do worry about along with the majority of the population.

I thank Dr. Glynn for coming in for the second time, Dr. De Gascun for coming in for the second or third time and Dr. Nolan for coming in for the third time. I thank all of them for making themselves available. I appreciate they are busy. It is the Minister's second time coming in and I thank him also. He wishes to make some points and I will give him the floor to make them.