Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is. I thank the Ceann Comhairle and all of the Oireachtas staff for welcoming us and facilitating the new Members of the House as we transition into our new roles. This is my first speech as a newly elected Deputy and I am delighted have the opportunity to stand here today as a representative for County Wicklow. I thank all of those from County Wicklow who have entrusted me with their vote.

I wish it were under different circumstances that we are here today but it is imperative that we discuss the developments of Covid-19. What developed as a localised disease in one country has now spread throughout the world, with several cases now confirmed in Ireland. I acknowledge the difficulties being faced by those coping directly with Covid-19, particularly those who have tested positive, and I wish them a quick return to full health.

As have most Deputies in the Chamber, I have spoken to many concerned members of my constituency and community over the past week. While their primary concerns are health focused, they also raise many issues relating to other aspects of their lives. I have met many parents in Wicklow who are concerned about further school closures. They worry about the impact this will have on their children's education.

They also worry about what will happen to their income if they have to take time off work to care for their children. Local shop owners are worried about their business. They are afraid their transactions will decline if public gatherings are curtailed or tourism numbers drop. If that were to happen, they worry about the impact it will have on their businesses. Culturally, there are fears that major events such as St. Patrick's Day or some Galway 2020 events could be cancelled.

These are valid concerns felt by many people throughout the country who are trying to do their best by their families in circumstances where there are many unknowns and much uncertainty. One matter of which I am certain is that Ireland will do its best throughout the crisis if we can respond together as a community and if we recognise that through our collective efforts we will restrict the potential of the virus to spread. Our care for the vulnerable in our families and communities is a priority now, and those affected by the virus will need the support of everyone around them to get through this difficult time. We all rely on one another and our communities in this crisis, as we always do.

This, in effect, is what we call social democracy, where we recognise our interdependence, our reliance on our community and how vital it is to nurture and support that community. We also rely on our Government and our public services to respond correctly in a rapidly-changing environment, following hard-won lessons in other countries. Accessible, reliable and timely information will be crucial over the coming weeks, as will the assurances that the Government has robust plans in place to deal with any necessary escalation phases. I thank the Minister and the Department for the updates we received earlier. A great deal of work is going on in the background. As public representatives, we have a responsibility to provide leadership in our constituencies and not to add to any panic that could be within our communities.

On a broader note, the rapid spread of the virus and the daily news of its progression are a sign of the interconnectedness of an increasingly global world. Not many opportunities arise that allow us to reflect on how connected we all are. It takes a global crisis such as climate change, a global recession or, as is now the case, a virus spreading quickly for us to gain a perspective on the challenges of this increasingly interconnected world. We have an opportunity to acknowledge there are vulnerabilities within our modern societies and we need to respond by examining how we can be more sustainable on multiple fronts. The challenges of globalisation tell us we need to redesign our interconnected world in a manner that benefits not only our health but also the future of our environment, of biodiversity and of an economy that serves our society by creating sustainable, robust communities across the board.

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