Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ós rud é gurb í seo mo chéad óráid sa Dáil nua, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an bpobal i gCuan Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas. Is mór an onóir agus an phribhléid í bheith tofa mar Theachta Dála sa Teach seo arís. Tá súil agam go mbeidh mé ag obair go héifeachtach ar son na ndaoine sna blianta amach romhainn. I thank the people of Dublin Bay South who re-elected me as a Deputy.

I am disappointed that I am speaking for the first time in this, the Thirty-third Dáil, on such a depressing and dangerous issue as the coronavirus. It is important to note that unfortunately every generation produces its own diseases. This fact has dominated human history for centuries, but it places a huge challenge upon us. Particularly at times like this, policymakers have important decisions to make.

I welcome what the Minister had to say. It is important that all the decisions made in respect of this issue be guided by experts and people who have the requisite medical expertise. It is a very serious issue. It is affecting people's health and also their way of life. I am aware that the Minister is consulting experts.

I also ask the Minister to look beyond the people advising him at present to other experts who have knowledge in the area, who are concerned about the issue and have something important to contribute to the debate. I have been fortunate in recent days to have been contacted by Dr. Carmen Regan, who is a consultant specialist in maternal medicine with approximately 30 years' experience. I ask the Minister to read the article and letter Dr. Regan has written, which is published in today's edition of the Irish Independent. It would be worthwhile for the Minister to give that consideration. Dr. Regan makes a number of significant points in the article and letter. Specifically, the issue she raise, which I acknowledge the Minister and others will consider, concerns what we do about the significant threat posed to Ireland and other parts of Europe, by the significant outbreak of the disease in northern Italy.

In many respects, northern Italy, unfortunately, is the place where Covid-19 is at its most prevalent in Europe and we need to consider what steps need to be taken in that regard and whether we need to restrict transport from that area. Self-isolation is an integral part of responding to this but it will be difficult for those who are self-employed if they are told to self-isolate. We need to do something for them if we place an obligation on them to self-isolate.

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