Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising those points. One of the issues that will have to be considered by Ireland and by Europeans in general is whether we should reduce our reliance on other countries such as China for the provision and manufacturing of essential items that could be required in the event of the pandemic becoming more serious. We need to become more self-sufficient in respect of critical services and goods for our economy. That is a key issue that I am determined that my Department will play a role in trying to manage.

I think our economy will change as a result of Covid-19. The increase we have seen in remote working and more flexible working will be here to stay to some extent, though not to the extent it is at the moment. It will be present across the Civil Service and public service. The aim is that next year we will move towards 20% of working time being remote working from home across the public service. For many public servants, I think that would be a good change. The public service has shown an ability to adapt. It has adapted at a time of great change and has performed exceptionally well. We need to see that level of flexibility implemented in adopting and putting into effect some of the reforms that are necessary to improve our public services further.

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