Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire.

We all know that public health and the health of our economy are inextricably linked and our economic forecasts are based in the existence of this virus. The public health measures are, of course, necessary to contain its spread and its impact on the economy. The economic forecast published this week outlined public health restrictions here have been more stringent than those in other EU states and I would be interested to hear the Minister's view as to why this is.

I also wish to touch on the interview by the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, with the The Currencytoday, where he stated that we have to say to public health experts that it cannot be public health only. The Tánaiste touches on the fact that he had been in Berlin where there were more people in offices. He states that we need to be looking at the numbers in hospitals and that kind of thing, although we are aware that even if one is not hospitalised, there can be long-term impacts on people, including young people. Does the Minister know if the Tánaiste has raised these concerns with NPHET or if this is just with the media and does the Minister have a stance on it?