Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The public needs clarity regarding travel this summer. The message might be that all non-essential travel is not advised and that anyone coming to Ireland should isolate for 14 days. In practice, however, Irish consumers are about to lose massive sums because flights are still running, hotels abroad are open while large numbers of non-isolating tourists from abroad are wandering around the country. In other words, there are two issues arising. The first issue is the money Irish consumers are losing, which they could spend in their local economy, and, second, there is the matter of the number of flights coming into the country from abroad. We might pride ourselves on policing by co-operation but we cannot encourage policing by civilians. There is so much anger about this issue but, listening to the Tánaiste answering questions, I do not think he realises the extent of it. Are we looking now at enforcement and protocols? What follow-up procedures are in place and have any fines issued? Given that we could be facing another surge in infections, I ask the Tánaiste to address these questions.

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