Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will do everything I can them to support them in having to deal with what is a very serious situation for them and the people of Northern Ireland, as it is for the Republic.

On the issue of no visitors allowed to homes, that is the whole idea of the bubble. I am answering the question. The idea is that we do not have a person on his or her own who cannot have a connection with another household. The raison d'être in this regard is to reduce social isolation and that is why that measure was brought forward. Again, it stems from public health advice. Deputy Shortall should remember that at the beginning of this crisis she was very clear about the need to adhere to public health advice. It is the public health advice that put forward these provisions from the get-go because they want to avoid congregation and large crowds. They also believe that households have been one of the places where the disease has spread to the greatest degree.

On vulnerable workers and precarious employment, we have initiated a serial testing programme and the Tánaiste is working on bringing in greater supports for workers in that regard. He is engaging with the companies on matters such as sick pay, recruitment policies and giving greater security of tenure to these employees.

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