Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I agree. We in County Kildare have been in the eye of the storm for some time and we have paid a high price for it. The second lockdown was quite invasive and created significant economic difficulty but the outbreak was dealt with, albeit at great cost.

The national figures are now accelerating at what I would regard as an alarming rate and I am not so certain that we have identified the causes. While the Minister of State's reply was made in good faith, I would like some more information on the direction we are heading. I know the wearing of masks is very important. It seems these guidelines are being adhered to. Why, then, is the virus accelerating? There is a contradiction somewhere that I cannot figure out. Better brains than mine are addressing that issue. I ask that they do so as a matter of urgency.

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