Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Howlin’s amendment. The Government plan is to rush new Covid-19 enforcement laws and powers through the Dáil, and it is nothing short of draconian. There are two aims to the Bill: to provide additional enforcement powers to An Garda Síochána to shut down bars and restaurants; and to give gardaí the powers to go into every house in the country. What in the name of God are we doing? We in the Dáil have supported different legislation since March and I have supported it, but enough is enough. People are absolutely burned out and in most cases - I am talking about 99% of cases - they are completely compliant. Those few bars that are open now are being finger-pointed as another cause for this virus. The only time the pubs in most parts of west Cork have opened in the last six months is to let floodwater and muck fly out their doors because their doors are shut and they are being flooded from all angles. There are already inspections in place for thousands of bars and restaurants, and most of them are compliant. There are always a few rule breakers in every walk of society, but these laws are draconian. Every other European country has opened its pubs but it seems we are the most stringent country when it comes to reopening.

What this means is that many pubs will no longer be able to take the hit and will have to remain closed. At the end of September, the moratorium for mortgages is up, which is another hit. There is no so-called package for publicans to repay their mortgages, so what is going to happen? The Government is giving the banks the powers to foreclose on the pubs and it is now giving gardaí stronger and more stringent powers that they do not need. They are probably finding it difficult enough to enforce the rules and regulations that are there.

If these powers are given to the Government or a Minister we will enter a new society of surveillance, becoming known around the world as a police state. There have been many house parties. There is no doubt about that. There have been more of them than we would like and there have been many street parties throughout the summer but the reason for this is the Government decision to not reopen the pubs and allow people an opportunity to have a drink in a controlled environment in full compliance with the guidance. I will not support the passage of this legislation.

There have been many regulations and rules that have taken powers away from the people, including the statutory instrument signed two weeks ago by the Taoiseach which implemented penalty points in the fishing industry. In the name of God, what are we doing? We are taking the powers away from the hardworking people of this country. That is a different issue. I respect that the issue needs to be dealt with very strongly but serious questions need to be asked of our Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil in regard to the introduction of measures that could lead to the destruction of the fishing industry in this country. The Government's introduction of far-reaching, intrusive measures under the veil of Covid-19 is nothing short of an invasion of the family and individuals and the protection afforded to everyone in their homes. In the worst days of the Soviet Union never were such intrusions in the private homes explored.

I am opposed to this Bill and the Government's proposals regarding what can happen in homes, public houses and restaurants throughout this country.

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