Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

For the record, I take it the Minister agrees that there is substantial scientific weight behind the 2 m requirement. A review of over 200 scientific studies published in The Lancettwo days ago states that transmission of viruses was lower with physical distancing of more than 1 m and that the evidence is clear that 2 m saves more lives than 1 m. The World Health Organization, WHO, is also clear on that point.

A number of Ministers have stated, as did the Taoiseach last week, that the vast majority of people would like to see us accelerate the plan. Would the Minister agree that there is no evidence for that? The Department of Health public opinion polls which are published on a weekly basis demonstrate that the vast majority of people believe that the current pace of loosening is either correct or too fast. In this week's survey, only 23% expressed the view that the pace of loosening restrictions is too low. Therefore, what we have is a manufactured public opinion demanding a loosening of restrictions which in reality is a relentless drumbeat from big business, amplified by the media and certain politicians, in particular Fianna Fáil, which demanded this debate on aviation following Michael O'Leary's media appearance. Matt Cooper in The Sunday Business Postgave the game away when he wrote that it does not matter that opinion polls suggest that the majority are happy with how things are being done, the needs of employers in both the public and private sectors must be given greater weight.

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