Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we have consistently stated, the safest thing to do during Covid-19 right now is not to travel but rather to holiday in Ireland or stay at home. One of our overarching priorities or objectives - this is why we have taken a very cautious approach, particularly in terms of the commencement of phase 4 and the compulsory wearing of masks on public transport - which I ensured happened the week before last and with which the public complied very quickly - relates to getting our schools open at the end of August. That is essential for the well-being of the children of the nation and their development. To me, it is the number one priority. Alongside it is the resumption of the non-Covid-19 strand of health services. In my view, there is clear guidance to the effect that anyone who travels outside of the 15 countries we identified should, without question, restrict their movements when they return to Ireland. We do not want families travelling to holiday destinations outside of those 15 countries in the first place. It is very important that they do not risk the capacity of schools to reopen or create situations that could lead to the spread of the virus. It is extremely important that we all adhere to the guidance and the guidelines.

Ireland has done well in respect of Covid-19. The levels of the virus are still low here. It is important to make that point. I am just back from the European Council and it was noticeable that some member states are finding difficulties in reopening. As they have reopened, the incidence rate in some countries has increased significantly and this has resulted in localised and citywide lockdowns. We want to avoid that in Ireland at all costs. This really speaks to two things, namely, our individual behaviour and the behaviour of families and communities and, aligned to that, the need, as I said earlier, to develop a strong and speedy testing and contact tracing system. To be fair, in the past month alone, a substantial number of tests have taken place on a systemic basis, for example, within nursing homes across the country. That type of targeted work will continue. The speed of that service will be very important in enabling us to suppress the spread of the virus into the future.

See this speech in context