Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his kind words. There are a couple of important issues. With regard to domestic and gender-based violence, I thank the organisations that have been doing incredible work alongside An Garda Síochána. I visited the National Ambulance Service some weeks ago at the height of this pandemic and they were experiencing an increase in calls related to domestic violence. For many of us, our home is a place of safety and well-being. For some people, sadly, when they close their own door it is anything but. I share the Deputy's views that the next programme for Government and the Oireachtas has a huge body of work to do in supporting those organisations. A broader conversation is needed on consent and how we raise our kids, and there is a big societal issue as well, but perhaps that is a discussion for another day.

The issue of other tests is one we always considered, including more rapid tests. NPHET, commissioned HIQA, as the Deputy will be aware, to do a health technology assessment to examine the alternative diagnostic approaches for the detection of Covid-19. These alternative approaches included an antigen detection test, the detection of antibodies and other rapid tests. Work is currently under way internationally to validate the analytical performance of the different diagnostic tests.

Until that clinical performance becomes clearer, we cannot recommend them but we are always keeping that under review and the Deputy is right to raise the matter.

On the issue of personal protective equipment, PPE, and dentists, I met with representatives of the Irish Dental Association on 8 May and 15 May. My officials met with them on 26 May. My Department is continuing to engage with them and I spoke to the CEO of the HSE yesterday about this. The Deputy referred to the aeroplane, the world's largest, landing in Shannon. It is a stark reminder of the situation we are in that the biggest aeroplane in the world only contained enough PPE for 12 and a half days, or three and a half days at the height of this pandemic so far. That gives one a sense of the scale of the situation. We need to have a conversation about PPE as we go forward and who is responsible for providing it and the likes. We are continuing to engage with dentists but I accept it is a real challenge for them and I would like to see us help.

I read the letter from the 1,000 scientists and academics. I am not sure that they are all scientists and academics but it was a letter from 1,000 people, including many eminent scientists and academics. When one reads that letter, we are not as far apart as perhaps has been suggested. What they suggest is to keep following the public health advice, crush the curve, do everything to get as close to zero as possible and not to rush things, which is sensible. That letter also highlighted the all-island approach which is very important. I had a quad meeting with the First Minister, deputy First Minister, health minister and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as well as the Tánaiste, this week. We must continue to ensure we are as closely aligned as possible and that is a big part of the approach we must take.

I fully agree with the Deputy about homemade face coverings. To be clear, the view of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, is that homemade face coverings have a value. That does not apply in a hospital setting where, obviously, we need medical-grade masks for people working in the health service and other settings but it does apply for the Deputy or me getting onto a bus or train, or going into a supermarket. The idea is that a mask is not a magic shield and does not stop the wearer getting the virus but it does make it harder for a person's droplets to transmit to me or vice versa. The mask catches droplets and there is clear value in that. It is an additional hygiene measure, not an alternative. It is also a visual reminder and aid to all of us. The view is that homemade masks have a role. We have put up videos as to how to make them and they can be made with socks and T-shirts. They need to have certain layers and the likes. We need to extend that awareness campaign beyond social media and get the message out through more traditional advertising forms.

The question of weddings is a hard one. People plan the happiest day of their life for a long period of time. It is a big day and a considerable amount of work goes into them. The arrival of the pandemic has meant that the best laid plans have been thrown up in the air. We have stated, as the Deputy rightly said, that 25 people can attend a funeral but that only relates to the church part of the service and not to the reception afterwards. We are not yet at a point where we can recommend the gathering indoors of more than six people. I hope that if we keep this pandemic in a good place we will be able to provide clarity on the matter. My intention, and I have been clear with NPHET on this, is to be in a position where we can answer that question when we publish the next iteration of the roadmap, the contents of phases 3 and 4. Even if it is bad news, we need to let people know so that they can make their own decisions. I have said publicly, in an effort to be helpful, that we are a fair while away from it being safe to carry out the traditional wedding of 100-odd people in our country.

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