Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This week, it has been agreed that the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, is to be awarded the freedom of the city of Dublin, an honour he deserves. Together with the now Tánaiste and the now Minister with responsibility for further and higher education, he was the steady hand we needed as we navigated our way through the pandemic, and the nation drew reassurance from his calm demeanour during his daily briefings.

The time is now right to recognise also the work of all front-line health workers. Many of our doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants placed themselves at risk to go to work every day to keep us safe and to care for those who were seriously ill. Many of them made significant personal sacrifices during this time, including moving out of their homes and away from their families in some cases to keep them safe, while continuing to provide care, not only for those with Covid-19 but also for others who needed healthcare during uncertain times. These healthcare workers have worked long hours in extremely difficult circumstances and we must now stop and recognise the work they have done on behalf of us all. These people have been selfless and our country owes them a great debt of gratitude. If it is not possible to reward them with pay increases or some form of bonus system, at a very minimum we should offer them additional paid leave, that is, time to spend with their families, with whom they may have sacrificed precious family time, or time out to recover from the physical and emotional tiredness they are undoubtedly feeling.

Would the Taoiseach agree that now is the time for us to come together as a country and offer our healthcare workers more than a round of applause by acknowledging their work and sacrifices?

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