Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I should first state that I have received information that the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, does not have Covid-19. I wish him well. It was an honour to be able to step in for him but it is good to know that the Minister does not have the virus. As the Deputy is aware, the virus only needs a small window of opportunity to re-emerge. For everyone's sake, especially the most vulnerable, it is therefore critical to keep the transmission of the virus within the community to the absolute minimum.

Deputy Durkan referred to house parties. This is an issue and the reopening of wet pubs is also causing some concern. However, I hope we will be able to work with all stakeholders to address these concerns. As the Deputy will know, a large number of outbreaks occurred in his own county of Kildare, as well as in Laois and Offaly. Those outbreaks spread rapidly within specific workplace settings such as meat plants. In recent weeks these outbreaks have been dealt with but the Deputy is right to say that we must be very vigilant.

See this speech in context