Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I doubt the whole country is waiting to hear what I will say on this, but I will be clear. On 27 March, workplace protection and improvement guidance was issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, for all workplaces that were open. The NSAI is the body from which people and businesses around the country are taking their advice. Guidance has been issued for many different sectors. For example, guidance has been issued by the national outbreak control team in respect of meat factories and by HIQA in respect of nursing homes. It has been the case, and is the case the world over, that different settings have different guidance.

There has been a debate since the start of this pandemic as to whether the Oireachtas should fulfil its duties by having Members work from home using virtual technology. There have been good ways of using committee rooms and video links.

My understanding is that the Oireachtas asked for the piece of public health advice and I am following it. That is my understanding of how it surfaced.

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