Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak. First I give my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of all of those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 and give my sincere thanks to all of the front-line staff who have worked Trojan hard over the last number of weeks. There is no doubt we are living in unprecedented times. An invisible virus is attacking us that has no regard for age, race or colour and which does not recognise borders. As a nation we are trying to fight this invisible enemy and I hope we are winning that fight. Once again the people of Ireland have shown their resilience and determination in times of danger.

I wish to put on record my support for the actions of the current Government. I also welcome the support of the Opposition for the Government's handling of this crisis but I feel it is necessary to raise important issues and to hold the Government to account. One such issue is the discrimination against those aged over 66 in relation to the temporary Covid-19 social welfare payments. I strongly believe this approach is not only wrong but is discriminatory. Why should people over 66 be denied this payment simply because of their age? What are the reasons for this? I have received so many emails and telephone calls from people who feel they are being discriminated against simply because of their age. This is wrong and I appeal to the Government to take immediate action to ensure that people over 66 are not treated differently.

Regarding nursing and care homes, I am very alarmed at reports in the news. I do not want to cause any additional worries for families and friends of those in nursing homes by giving any details but I ask the Minister to make a statement outlining the current situation with regard to the safety of both staff and residents of nursing and care homes and the measures the Government is taking in this regard.

Another area where I believe we need to do more is the area of tourism. Tourism plays a major part in my constituency of Louth and in east Meath. To the north of the constituency we have the beautiful Cooley Peninsula and surrounding areas, while further south we have the Boyne Valley area with the seaside villages of Laytown and Bettystown. At this time of the year the businesses in these areas are normally in full swing and ready for the busy summer period. I am disappointed that the tourism industry has not been given targeted specific supports. The very fact that the businesses are seasonal makes them different from other businesses. Usually 80% of their income is earned during the summer months. I urge the Government to look closely at this and put in place specific supports for seasonal businesses.

There is no doubt that the economic impact of this virus is immense. Never before have seen such a dramatic and sudden impact on the economy. It is frightening to see my home town of Dundalk so quiet and to see so many businesses temporarily closed.

There is no doubt that the actions we have taken as a nation are necessary and that we have no alternatives. I wish to take this opportunity to praise my fellow citizens for the action they have taken to combat this virus. It is at times like this that we see what we are really made of, and I think everyone here today would agree with me when I say that the people have once more shown the true courage when needed. I highlight the efforts of those over 70 years who have cocooned in their homes, the efforts of people who have self-isolated, the efforts of those who have had to stay at home because attendance at their workplace was not deemed essential, and the effects on students who have had to continue to prepare for examinations at home. I could go on but I think it is fair to say that the majority of people have put their shoulders to the wheel and worked together to ensure we defeat this virus.

I wish to put on record my support for the actions of the current Government in its efforts to combat this virus. I hope the Government takes note of my comments relating to those over 66 years who are currently being discriminated against in respect of temporary Covid-19 payments. There is no doubt these are unprecedented times and I am confident that, as a nation, we will come out the other side stronger and more united than ever. We have the resources, willpower and determination to beat this. I believe that we are beating it and that we are close to seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

I would like to say a few words on Government formation. I am a member of the Regional Technical Group, and we have been in contact with the main parties on Government formation talks. I am pleased to see that the two main parties have reached common ground on a coalition. It is now time for the other parties to step up and engage in these talks. For us to have a stable Government for the next five years, one of the smaller parties will have to be involved. Speaking for myself as a member of the Regional Technical Group, we have all along shown our willingness to participate in talks that will deliver a stable Government. I urge all small parties to take a similar approach. There is no point shouting from the sidelines if there is an opportunity to make real change from within. Now is a time of real national need, and going forward, that will require strong political leadership and vision to ensure that this great country gets back on its feet.

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