Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputies Feighan and Butler, for facilitating today's debate on the Roadmap for Living with Covid-19. This document is a useful guide for business planning and provides hope for future economic recovery. The onus is on us as parliamentarians to display leadership and hope. It is more important than ever that we focus on the language of economic recovery. In times such as this, a rising tide lifts all boats.

This document and the Return to Work Safely Protocol will be fundamental documents in the months ahead for employers and their staff as we adapt to the challenges presented by the pandemic. Many of my constituents in Mayo ask when things will return to normal. While none of us can definitively answer that, I take solace in the roadmap's plans for resuming public service delivery as well as building economic and community resilience.

The importance of our rural post offices is not covered in the roadmap document. They are facing problems significantly compounded by Covid-19. Post offices in Mayo, from Binghamstown to Shrule, and from Louisburgh to Bunnyconnellan, are often the only places where Mayo residents engage with public services. Having a strong network of local post offices, thereby avoiding people having to travel to large urban centres, is more important now than ever. Many of us have spoken about the importance of our older people being able to remain connected during the Covid-19 era, and our post offices play an important role in that.

The roadmap refers to the European Commission's plan to promote a common approach to travel restrictions and movement within the EU. Something similar should be done with the common travel area. Ideally both plans should be aligned as much as possible. Such a move would greatly benefit airports such as Ireland West Airport Knock as all its flights operate to the UK and EU countries.

I particularly welcome the focus on community well-being, including mental health support and supports to encourage community working. Many community organisations will need support to resume as close as possible to normal services. I note the commitment to support local community development committees in assisting local community and voluntary groups to adapt their operations to fit into the new Covid-19 reality. However, I hope the Minister of State will be able to provide further details on such supports for community well-being. Many voluntary organisations provided useful services in pre-Covid times and their work is now critical in this pandemic. I especially think of Castlebar voluntary social services, including the meals on wheels service, which many older people rely on as they limit their movements.

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