Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Bill, which is welcome in the general context but worrying at the same time. The process was very vague to begin with. It was worrying when we got an email from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service indicating it cannot give any information on what was in the Bill because it did not have it.

I see the point in trying to contain and control the spread of Covid-19 but I will raise some matters of balance, fairness and choice. We have congratulated many people on sticking to the regulations and being compliant but there is much anger outside this Chamber. I have spoken to many pensioners whose words to me could not be repeated in this Chamber. They indicated they would not go back into lockdown because they feel let down.

This is emergency legislation and it is being pushed on the basis of urgently ensuring compliance with health and safety measures. I urge the Minister to have a look at how we will deal with industries that have been devastated in this country. I speak specifically about wet pubs. I met a large number of publicans over recent weeks and they feel very aggrieved and let down. There are pensioners who own pubs or bars and who do not receive a Covid-19 payment because they already receive a pension from the Department. They are getting no support. I would like to see more urgency being given to the matter. Banks are not being very supportive to these businesses and insurance companies are behaving in a downright disgraceful manner.

We have heard about the legislative measures this evening. Unfortunately, we should be seeing urgency in regulating meat plants, which currently fall under guidelines rather than legislation. We should also see urgency in sorting out school transport and the issues affecting people with disabilities. Not too long ago it was mentioned that there would be a package of €16.5 million for pubs, and with 2,500 members of the vinters' association, this works out at approximately €6,400 each, which is not going to help anybody.

I welcome the fact that the clause that would enable members of An Garda Síochána to enter people's homes has been removed. I am looking forward to the next Stage of the Bill, when we can get into its content. I wish the Minister luck and I know she is trying to do the right thing. Let us try to do the right thing for everybody here. We must prioritise every part of industry, our health service and our family services. We must think of the mental health of young and older people, as well as families. We must urgently help people who want to help themselves. In that regard I broadly support the Government with this Bill but I would like to see more clarity in its intent and urgency in the other matters I raised.

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