Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----it is getting harder to stick our hair down every day. There is, however, a very serious point here. There are many people who want to go back to work and make a living and who employ people in every town and village. As I said earlier, there is also a mental health aspect to this issue. There are people, particularly older people, who get their hair done once a week not necessarily because they need to but because it makes them feel good. That is also important. The Government is now considering what will go into each of the remaining two phases - and we hope it will be two phases. We will take the advice of NPHET in that regard. It is likely that Government will make a decision on the matter at our meeting towards the end of next week. I will keep the Deputy informed.

The Deputy will understand why I do not intend to stop praising healthcare workers, but I take his point. They want more than applause and platitudes. I have had some very good meetings this week. Two were with the INMO, and one was with SIPTU. I will have another with the INMO tomorrow and one with the IMO. Recognising these staff will be a job of work for the next Government.

The issue of catering staff is an important point. I was made aware of a pay agreement that was not being honoured. I believe it related to a private sector arrangement. That was a disgraceful act. I take the Deputy's point but it will fall to the next Government to resolve any pay issues. Some 124 days on from the election, we are hopeful that a new Government will be formed.

May I write to the Deputy with regard to waiting lists? He is not wrong. With regard to testing and tracing, there has been significant progress on turnaround times but he is right; we should never get complacent.

We have to keep doing better in this regard. I will keep in touch with the Deputy on it.

See this speech in context