Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The entire country is living in very difficult times. Our sympathies and condolences must go to the bereaved families who have suffered tragic losses in recent months due to the Covid-19 crisis. We must all acknowledge that there has been a tremendous national effort by everybody involved across the country. We also acknowledge the very dedicated work by all the front-line staff, especially but not just in the health service. I refer to those people who work in supermarkets and shops and who look after people getting food and allow them to go about their daily business. They are all putting themselves at risk by being out there, but I know that most employers have good arrangements in place to ensure social distancing.

The Minister might be happy to hear me say this: it is impossible to get every decision 100% correct during a pandemic. That must be acknowledged. Some of the issues that did arise showed up previous shortcomings, such as the treatment of nursing homes. For years, they have tried to be involved with national committees but the Minister refused several times to agree to that. Other issues that came to light relate to the promises to process 5,000 and 10,000 tests in the next week. We have long heard the over-promising of testing. Private hospitals have not been used to their full capacity. The National Treatment Purchase Fund must be stepped up to pick up a lot of the slack because there will be a lot of people on waiting lists.

People might agree or disagree with it, but I am happy to hear there are differences of opinion among the members of the national public health emergency team, their advisory committees, the Government and the Department of Health. I would be very worried if everyone was sitting there mute and they were all yes-men and yes-women. I am pleased there are differences of opinion because we would not have got to where we are unless people had teased out their various points of view. I do not have a question for the Minister.

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