Dr. Ronan Glynn:

I thank the Deputy for his specific question because it is probably the most important element of our response to Covid-19 at the moment. The narrative around Covid has changed dramatically in this country over the past two months. It has evolved into something of a blame culture in which we look for the next target or the next reason for not being able to control this disease. The latest of these is young people. I have been at pains for a number of weeks to point out that this disease has had an absolute disproportionate impact on the social lives, education, employment opportunities and relationship opportunities for young people. We need to co-create solutions with this cohort of people. They are the ones who will tell us how to do things better. We need to work with them to find how they can socialise and work more safely.

The Deputy asked when can we create more social opportunities. The social opportunities are there now but they must be done differently and more safely. I know people are sick of it but it is the same message again and again. It is staying 2 m apart.

It is meeting a smaller group of friends at any one time; it is not meeting friends if one has symptoms. The reason, in particular, this is important is we are seeing a very disproportionate.