Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Local authorities around the country are organising the reopening of their counties. In Kerry we are no different. Kerry County Council, along with its elected members, is putting in place town centre mobility plans ensuring social distancing is in place on our footpaths and so on. The council also is looking at allowing street furniture for cafés, restaurants and pubs to use to ensure they can increase capacity while maintaining social distancing rules. What can the Taoiseach do, together with the Minister for Justice and Equality, to help? At present people are not to consume alcohol outside or near a premises from which it is purchased. Can these laws be relaxed, temporarily even, to allow for the next weeks and months?

On Tuesday at our meeting, together with the other leaders, I raised the issue of hairdressers, barbers and beauticians. I am glad at what is being spoken about since yesterday. I acknowledge the gratitude expressed by the Taoiseach at that meeting for the good presentation given by the Irish Hairdressers Federation, which I know influenced the Government's decision strongly. I would like the Taoiseach to make a statement to the House outlining exactly what the Government is now proposing in this regard.

Also at that meeting on Tuesday, I raised the issue of the 2 m rule. I appreciate Deputy Grealish raising this as well. In the county I represent which, of course, as I continuously say, is the tourism capital of the world, the retention of the 2 m rule will have a very serious negative impact on our opportunities to get people back to work. Obviously, I respect that any decision the Taoiseach makes will be done in close conjunction with those giving him health advice. However, I ask him and the Government to look very closely at the 2 m rule and the potential for going down to 1 m. It would mean thousands of jobs, not just in the county of Kerry but throughout the country.

It has been raised by others, but I have been asked by many parents of children with special educational requirements to raise the July provision and the issue of special schools and allowing for the teaching of our children who are challenged with regard to getting their education, and that the Government would do and be seen to do everything it can for that special category of young students who need help. in conjunction with their parents.

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