Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to support the amendment tabled by Deputy McNamara. I reiterate that I do not believe this legislation has anything to do with reopening the pubs or a roadmap for the pubs. It is just giving more power to the State to do what it likes. The sunset clause is not adequate. As I stated earlier, a lot can happen before the sun goes down. We do not know when the sun will go down on this because, as night follows day, the Minister will roll over this power and keep it. As Deputy McNamara stated, the State loves the power.

We have all been good citizens and bought into this but people are tired and weary of it. This legislation will backfire spectacularly on the Minister. It is the first time the House has voted on such a matter since Covid broke out. It will happen more and more because people are awakening to what is going on. There is something going on besides trying to flatten the curve, which has been well flattened. We must all keep safe and respect the virus, but we need to live as well. The Government is not allowing the people to live. It is Big Brother watching over everything. It is diabolical, disgraceful, and disgusting. These are grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented, GUBU, days. I totally object to the Bill and resent the kind of smug way the Government is doing this. It is sickening.

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