Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Connolly and I are going to disagree on the nursing home issue, as is her right. I would make the point that we are recording, testing and getting an understanding that I do not believe many other countries have. When we get into the Covid committee, but also when we get past the pandemic, no doubt there will be lessons to be learned in regard to this pandemic. No country is perfect. However, while I am happy to learn the lessons, I believe we should learn them from listening to those like HIQA, the regulators and the other expert voices in terms of the work that went on. I am sure we will return to that on another day.

With regard to dental services, there has been engagement and I am meeting them tomorrow. Emergency services have been permitted. There was a public health view in regard to the risk from other services but, as I said, in light of the roadmap and where the virus is at, we have asked for expert advice to see how we can try to resolve some issues in regard to dental services.

On cocooning, I agree with the Deputy. While I am not passing the buck, I do not know exactly how the word arrived and why we are all using it on a daily basis. It is certainly not meant to be offensive. It is actually meant to be about imparting the best public health advice to a group of people who are not vulnerable people, but who are vulnerable to this virus.

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