Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The problem is that capacity will be vastly diminished if there is social distancing in the rural transport system. Who is going to provide the extra vehicles? Who is going to cover the cost of running larger vehicles with reduced capacity? That is going to be much more expensive.

My third question relates to getting goods and services to market. Will there be a quarantine on people coming into our ports once we open? Has the Minister discussed that with Cabinet colleagues? Many countries are going to operate a quarantine. Is there any thought of that and where will it happen? For example, will there be provision for accommodation in places like Rosslare Europort? Do we have the capacity for getting goods moved? Who is going to check the people driving the goods arriving in our ports? Is that going to happen? Will they be isolated if they have temperature issues? Will health and safety checks be done on the goods arriving in our ports? The maintenance of standards is very important. Some of the trade unions involved are already telling me that they are fearful that some of the maritime companies will use Covid as an excuse to undo the hard-won terms and conditions of workers. Will the Minister keep an eye to ensure that does not happen?

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