Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I say first that I support the extension of the sunset clause but the Sinn Féin amendment has real merit. This is draconian legislation and should only be enforced for the minimum timeframe necessary.

We often speak in this House about learning lessons. Allowing the Dáil to review the impact of this legislation in early February will give us a chance to learn lessons and to improve the legislation.

Why, despite the enormous challenge that level 5 presents for so many of our citizens, do I, on balance, support the motion and the level 5 restrictions? First, it is clear that level 3 simply did not work. Even in counties at level 4 - Cavan, Dublin and Donegal - the numbers remained too high. If we want to reduce the number of cases to a level where our hospitals can cope with Covid and, crucially, non-Covid care, schools can remain open and our care homes can be just that then level 5 is needed.

A number of my colleagues referred to a nursing home in Galway. I heard Dr. Martin Daly speak about what happened there. What was very interesting was that at the end of his interview, Dr. Daly stated that this situation showed the need to move to level 5. Of course level 5 has to be part of a suite of measures. This motion has to be part of a suite of measures. My time is very limited. I do not have time to go into the detail of all of the other measures that are needed and where we are failing. The testing and tracing regime is very much part of that. I will have to leave it at that.

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