Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Earlier, I asked the Taoiseach about travel restrictions and the statement in the plan that those living in Dublin should be encouraged to limit their travel etc. The Taoiseach is probably aware at this stage that the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, said the opposite on the "News At One". In regard to the elderly and those who waited for the peak season to be over and have booked a staycation for this weekend but who live in Dublin, what is the Government advice? It is an honest question. My colleagues and I, and I presume other Deputies, have received texts on this issue. What are such people to do? They are not in level 2 and are not in level 3.

What is the difference between this committee and the Cabinet Covid committee in terms of responsibilities? I welcome the €600 million but strange as it may seem to say this it may not be enough. On the winter plan, I ask the Taoiseach to comment on a number of issues. I understand the plan will be launched on Thursday. Perhaps the Taoiseach will confirm if that is correct. The situation in some areas needs particular attention. Limerick University Hospital is the topic on which I have probably spoken most in this House. The situation there has been ongoing for a decade. As things stand, the hospital is at crisis point today. We need a plan for this hospital and for Cork University Hospital, where the Taoiseach will know there are issues as well. The mid-west in particular traditionally has had huge problems so we need to focus our efforts there.

There are a few other issues I would like to highlight. The Taoiseach might come back to me, as he mentioned earlier, on the vaccine. We need to get other screening back up and running, including BreastCheck, otherwise we will have delayed issues. I have continuously raised the issue of people with disabilities, which the Taoiseach will acknowledge. Our planning for the coming months needs to be elderly and disability proofed. I acknowledge the plan to recruit in regard to the testing regime. It is crazy, as pointed out by my colleague, Deputy Sherlock, to have therapists, etc., doing the work which others could be doing. For example, it could be done by people who are retired or by students.

See this speech in context