Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Not everybody will agree with the Government's decision on Monday to move the country to level 5 restrictions. However, not everybody was privy to the reasoning, methodology and science the CMO and NPHET used to support their call for a six-week period of level 5 restrictions. Both the Government and society are better conditioned and prepared to meet the severe demands of level 5 than they were two weeks ago.

There are differences between the current lockdown and the complete lockdown in March. For example, it is a welcome change to have schools open. Significant progress has been made with regard to children attending school. Those attending college can take classes online. Remote working is growing and becoming a welcome trend and reality.

It is unfortunate that stricter enforcement measures are necessary to implement the various aspects of the restrictions. It may be that if enforcement powers similar to those proposed in the Bill had been in place for levels 2 and 3, there would have been greater success in curtailing the spread of the virus. In a functioning democracy, one must have respect and regard for the authority vested in the Cabinet, the Government and the Dáil.

The financial provisions introduced in March, July and the budget and the provisions brought in last Monday can, should and, it is to be hoped, will be the sort of financial measures that assist workers, retailers, businesses and industry. The €20 billion investment by the State gives the economy an opportunity to survive. It would have been regarded as unprecedented and even unimaginable by many people some months ago, but it has been a lifeline for our combined future and has the prospect of continuing to be such a lifeline.

The sense of solidarity earlier in the year and through the summer was commendable. It made us all very proud and engendered a great sense of patriotism. It has been a significant challenge to have gradually opened the economy but then have to re-enter a period of severe restriction. The challenge is great, but its success is dependent on the buy-in of all in society. Success is dependent on the right supports being provided for the economy, healthcare, education and other public services, but it is predominantly dependent on the buy-in of the public. It is also dependent on the buy-in of public representatives.

The provision of definitions of essential retail and services by the Government on gov.ie is a genuine attempt to be appropriate and reasonable while seeking to stem the rise of cases and to reduce the R-number. People need to study and appreciate those details and apply common sense to the provisions. The 5 km restriction, for example, is not a hard and fast rule. There are acceptable deviations from it. If people genuinely acknowledge, apply and live by the restrictions, we will have a chance of achieving the goals set out by the Government last week.

I expect that the promised review in four weeks' time will assess the progress that has been made. If sufficient progress has been made, then surely the Government can look afresh at variations to the protocols that have governed many of the issues about which Members have spoken this week, such as in respect of gyms, marts, golf clubs, sports other than elite sports, retail outlets other than essential retail outlets, hair dressers, spa therapies, showjumping, coursing, tennis, music schools and other matters. However, if people flout and show disregard for the guidelines and the spirit of the guidelines, we will be in trouble.

From speaking to other Deputies this week, I have garnered that there is genuine worry and trepidation. To be brutally honest, compliance with levels 2 and 3 had waned. Apathy and fatigue set in, which unfortunately created an opening that has been exploited by the virus. I am worried by conversations I have had with constituents in recent days. A draper in Tullamore rang me yesterday evening to highlight that larger stores were open because they stated they were selling workwear, for example. Today, a shop in Portlaoise was displaying two rows of fluorescent jackets, but all the products behind those jackets were also available for purchase by the general public. One must state clearly what is outlined in the legislation. It states that only essential goods should be on display and not those goods that should not be made available. Supermarkets have massively reduced the price of drink offerings, which indirectly encourages gatherings and parties. I spoke to the chief executive of Shaws department stores today. Its tagline through the years has been "Shaws - almost nationwide". It will be almost decimated if other parties flout the spirit of the law. The company has 1,000 employees and invested €100,000 in being Covid-ready. It has respected the trust of its employees and committed to the restrictions in order to make progress. The actions of certain other retailers are not in line with the spirit of restrictions. Such action is unfair and it is breaking the law. It will not get the R-rate down or bring the numbers in the right direction.

Whether people agree with the decisions made is irrelevant. The Government, in conjunction with public health experts and advice, has made its decision, as is its duty.That decision will not be reversed. Let us try to ensure it works. If it does not, the review in four weeks' time will do nothing more than add another six weeks of pain and restriction, which would have a severe and detrimental impact on business and, of course, condemn Christmas to becoming another casualty of this terrible Covid pandemic.

See this speech in context