Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the more than 1,600 people who have lost their lives due to Covid-19, and indeed all those who have recovered from it. I thank the people of Ireland for the work they have done to help effectively flatten the curve. I wish to bring the thoughts of many of my constituents to the Chamber. The 2 m rule has been mentioned already and I know that a meeting between the Chief Medical Officer and Cabinet is ongoing as I speak. It is something many people are beginning to articulate and while I understand that we will take the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, it is an issue that needs to be brought to the Dáil Chamber.

We have been dealing with Covid for a long time now but the health service is continuing to work away. I was coming back from the Dáil last Wednesday night and ended up in Sligo University Hospital. Everything is fine and despite what people say, politicians do have hearts. I thank the ambulance staff, the clinical nurse co-ordinators, the doctors and all the staff in Sligo University Hospital. The work they are doing is absolutely incredible. I was very proud and thankful for my experience late on Wednesday night. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated professional service staff who are doing tremendous work. I was asked to bring their thoughts to the Minister today, and I will be talking to him off the record as well. I again thank the staff at Sligo University Hospital and all the front-line staff around the country. I saw first hand the work they do. I ask the Minister to elaborate on the issue I raised.

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