Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On testing, we are all aware of the situation as mentioned by all of the Deputies who have spoken. I offer my deepest sympathies to all of the people who have died as a result of Covid-19. I apologise to the families of friends whose funerals I could not attend owing to the restrictions in place. Not being able to say their final goodbyes to partners, relatives and friends at that time has been difficult for all families. I apologise for that.

I commend the Government on its quick response to Covid-19. It did not get everything right, but it has done its best. There are talks underway between all parties and none on a programme for Government. I have repeatedly made the point that when it comes to the appointment of Ministers those appointed must have expertise in the area for which they are to be given responsibility. In terms of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Taoiseach's medical background was significant to the early identification of many of the issues.

I commend our front-line workers for all of the work they have done, often without suitable PPE equipment. Much of the PPE equipment we have was imported from China, where Covid-19 was first identified. Companies in Ireland whose factories are closed but have the machinery and the know-how to make PPE equipment or to alter the equipment that we received from China have offered their services to Government but there has been no uptake of this offer. I have contacted the offices of Ministers about this but only some Ministers have come back to me on it. I am disappointed that some of them have not bothered to text, email or telephone me in response to the very important questions I raised. As a Member of this House I expected at least a response by text or telephone call such that I could put people in my area at ease.

The position in regard to farming and farm work that needs to be done is unclear. People have asked for permission to do essential work on their farms. The harvest season for farming is almost upon us. Under environmental regulations farmers are obliged to lay silage slabs, work which had to be postponed for the last number of weeks. They are now being told by some people in government that they cannot get concrete or other basic materials to do this work, while others are telling them they can go ahead. We need clarity on this issue.

There are people renting houses in rural settings who are building houses in respect of which there is a small amount of work to be completed. These people are making rent and mortgage payments for which there is no relief.

Where social distancing can be upheld on these rural sites, where there is probably a week or two weeks of work left to be done, I ask that people be allowed to give back the rental houses and move into their new houses. They are being told they cannot do this and that there is no funding for them. We have seen HSE workers employed through agencies who are willing to help being given zero hours, but they do not qualify for the Covid payment as they are under contract to the agencies. This also needs clarity.

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