John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I welcomed on Twitter the general comments tweeted by the Taoiseach regarding racism. The Tánaiste repeated those comments today. He has condemned racism and I welcome that he has done so, but surely our Government has more to say about the appalling use of Tasers, rubber bullets, tear gas and brute force on streets in the United States. The paramilitary style of policing has been truly stomach-turning for any reasonable person watching it. Has the Government any comment to make on that issue? The Tánaiste did not specifically advert to it.

We are squeezed for time and I thank the Acting Chairman for managing it so well.

On a second and completely different issue, the Tánaiste mentioned that the travel advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had to be updated and amended 1,400 times, which is a tribute to the staff and which I appreciate. More travel advice will be needed. A significant issue arises for constituents who have booked holidays abroad. They will have paid their deposit or, in some cases, paid for the holiday in full, the flights are booked, the flight carriers are still willing to carry them and the country of destination is still willing, in some cases, to welcome them and accommodate them, so long as they give details of their accommodation. Therefore, they need a travel advisory specifically in regard to when they return. Is a fortnight of quarantine essential for them? For example, will a normal working couple with a family or an individual who has used up some of his or her annual leave for holidays continue to be required to quarantine for a further two weeks when they return home from these holidays? What general and specific advice can the Tánaiste give to travellers? The Tánaiste has about half a minute to come back to me on those questions.

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