Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We have a confirmed framework for the green light system at present. We will have a framework for the amber system by Sunday evening, 8 November. Within a short number of weeks after that, I expect we will have a framework for the red list countries. There was a Government decision to take this approach. We listen to the advice of the health authorities, obviously. I was listening to Dr. Holohan yesterday. He was very clear when he was asked by the Chairman and others to say whether he would stop or restrict. He clearly and correctly made the point that NPHET's job is to advise and it is the Government's job to decide what regulations or systems are put in place. We are working with the health authorities because they are operating the regulatory system, the contact and capacity forms and so forth. They are a critical part of this system. We must put public health first, but the Government must balance how it can protect public health and at the same time maintain connectivity. That is why the Government must decide in the end. It is a balancing question sometimes, and that is the Government's job and role.