Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have proposed legislation in respect of enhancedforce majeure leave to facilitate the situations that Deputy Kelly has envisaged whereby people are prevented from attendance at work for health reasons. It would surely be a travesty if people felt pressured into going to work simply for financial reasons. This is a matter of some priority.

Does the Taoiseach agree with the proposition from his colleague in government, Deputy Eamon Ryan, that two-for-one specials enjoyed by shoppers in supermarkets and shops across the country will be banned? It is also proposed that levies and taxes will be placed on what Deputy Ryan has described as "cheap clothing" and that families and individuals will be fined for not separating their waste. I am sure we all understand that there are big challenges in terms of our environment and waste management practices but the answer is not to target and disadvantage the very households that have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 crisis and lost jobs and income. Such households struggled to get their kids back to school last week and will struggle to have a decent Christmas. I put it to the Taoiseach that the propositions coming from his Government colleague, Deputy Ryan, are wholly unacceptable and, frankly, off the wall and demonstrate that he leads a Government that is not just chaotic but is entirely out of touch with the day-to-day realities faced by ordinary families. I ask him to have a word with his colleague, ask him to remove those proposals and put a stop to this.

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