Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have only two and a half minutes, Taoiseach, so will zone in. I gave my support to draconian legislation where absolutely no attempt was made to contextualise such legislation within a human rights perspective or to frame the powers given to gardaí and undefined medical officers in order that such powers would be time limited and used in a proportionate and non-discriminatory way.

I gave my support reluctantly, on the basis of a number of issues. The first was that we would improve the legislation as best we could. The second was that we made it time-based. Third, we insisted that it would come back before the Dáil. The most important reason on which I based my consent is that we would have full and frank disclosure and full information on every issue from the Taoiseach and the Government. Significantly, and unacceptably, that part of the bargain has not been kept. I look at testing and the information on that is totally contradictory. As we all do, I know of people who have been waiting for tests, some for as long as four weeks on Saturday, in the case to which I refer. Another issue of concern is whether laboratories are functioning or not. On 1 April we were told that it was sufficient to meet demand. Perhaps the date is an indication of how we should take that piece of information.

I am absolutely appalled that nursing homes were not number one on the list to have a risk assessment carried out. On 30 January the public health emergency was recognised. On 11 February it was given a name, that is, coronavirus. On 11 March a pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization. I have not heard one simple explanation from the Government as to why nursing homes, direct provision centres and residential centres were not number one on the list given that our most vulnerable people live there or why an assessment was not carried out. I looked through all of the briefing documents prior to coming in here. I have eight from the month of April. Of all those briefing documents, we have two lines on nursing homes to tell us that screening would be introduced and it was never mentioned again. I hear on the radio and the television how many are dying in nursing homes. More than 50% of the deaths from coronavirus are in residential homes. At the very least the Government should keep its side of the bargain. I acknowledge the work the Government has done and thank it, but it is fundamental for democracy that the Government gives us precise and accurate information.

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