Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Certainly, on a North, South, east and west basis this is a matter I have discussed with my counterpart in Northern Ireland and I know the Taoiseach has spoken publicly about his discussions with the British Prime Minister. At a European level, there is no doubt this is discussed at various ministerial European Union Councils and the like. We must acknowledge that different countries are in very different places. For example, I know Germany is considering the idea of having a so-called travel bubble with a couple of other countries that are in a similar position with the virus.

The Irish position is that we expect people, whether Irish or not, to self-isolate for 14 days. This applies to anybody coming to the country, including returning Irish people. We also expect people to fill out a passenger locator form, indicating a name, phone number and where the person intends to stay for those 14 days. These processes are being administrated and a good job is being done by the border management unit. We must look at how to regulate for that and I hope to be in a position to update the Government on that tomorrow, or if not then next week, on how we can move forward in that regard. I would be happy to brief the Deputy after that.

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