Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I will make a short contribution. I agree that we are at a crucial point and it will be one of many crucial points we will face over the next period in our war against the virus. We will have rearguard skirmishes, battles and everything else thrown into the mix over the next period of time. The Minister called it chapter 2. I do not know whether that is the correct term, but that is how he described it.

The public know the danger. If people are told what is going on, they will react and do what is necessary. People know that this virus can kill. A small fringe element is trying to say differently, but people generally know and have seen what is happening.

People will respond to clear communication and logic. It is when things start getting confusing that people get frustrated and angry. I can understand why people get angry, because it has been a long and difficult six months and we have another long and difficult six months ahead of us. When one hears Dr. Ronan Glynn, Dr. Tony Holohan and other experts talking, it is crystal clear why the measures are necessary healthwise. Politicians have to respond to that and make clear points as well.

There is a conflict between when a message comes from NPHET and when it is taken up by politicians. Lobby groups come out and pressure is put on to reopen sectors. That is okay. Many medical experts have said the economy has to open up but it has to be safe for workers and their families, social distancing has to be in place and handwashing has to happen. People are in difficult circumstances and workers should be protected in many ways. The clear message that we have to get out is that we are protecting people. I do not think that message has got out, particularly in meat factories. The message has been confused and people are concerned about it.

There were outbreaks in April and again more recently. Advice was not listened to. The workers were not tested enough and were not separated when they went home to their families and communities. The situation has to be examined. We know from a migrant rights group that this is still a problem.

Another key point is the need for a robust test, trace and isolation system that includes testing contacts. Dr. Gabriel Scally and Professor Paul Moynagh spoke on a radio programme today and said this is crucial. I am scared about what we are facing into because I have an underlying illness. No matter how much I try to protect myself, when I am out I am taking risks. Testing has to be robust. Professor Moynagh made the point that there were no cases in meat factories at the beginning of July but by the middle of the month, 80 people tested positive in a Kildare meat plant.

Only 4,000 people a day were tested, of whom 2,000 were hospital workers. Some six days later, only 2,000 people a day were being tested. If we have capacity for 15,000 tests a day, that is what we should do. We should be testing hospital workers, crèche workers, healthcare workers, teachers and those working in meat factories. University students come from different communities and they should be tested, and there should be follow-up tests if the system can manage that.

I heard in the echo chamber that the character of NPHET could change over the next period of time. Proposals or talks are happening in the background. I heard that the committees around NPHET may be eliminated. If that happens, the Minister has to come into the Dáil and explain exactly why that is happening. I heard a proposal that a NPHET team would include representatives from industry and agriculture. NPHET is a public health committee, not a mixture of industry, vested interests and all of that.

That is going to confuse the message again. If that is going to happen, the Minister has to come in here and explain that.

My final point is that people in the community must be advised, particularly with the rise now in Dublin that we are told is at a knife-edge, as to where the cases are and the areas they are in. I do not mean pointing at people in particular but to general areas. We found out today that five pubs caused an infection cluster, as had restaurants. We have to be told because then people can and will be careful and will make the extra effort to look after themselves, their families and friends. There has to be more detail provided as to where those clusters are coming from and the communities involved.

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