Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are considering legislation to enforce, essentially what is a level 5 lockdown, as some are calling it. We know that we have to do this, in part because of the lack of capacity within the health service. We have to protect the health service from becoming overwhelmed. We have been told repeatedly by the Minister and her predecessor that testing is essential and that it is a vital tool in our battle with this virus. I was very disturbed yesterday to receive a notification that was circulated in the National Virus Reference Laboratory, NVRL. The heading was "Urgent Notification Relating to SARS-CoV-2 testing at the NVRL". The notice stated:

Due to unavoidable staff shortages, the NVRL will not be able to provide any SARS-CoV-2 testing on the weekends of 24, 25 and 26 October and 31 October to 1 November. Apologies for the late notice and any inconvenience this may cause.

Is the Minister aware of this? What will the implications be? Will he outline what additional capacity has been sourced in order to ensure that this does not have the potential knock-on effect that we know it could have? What efforts have been made to address the short-staffing in the National Virus Reference Laboratory, which is concerning? What will be done to ensure that when the swabbing takes place the testing will also take place? We have already seen a shambles with regard to the tracing with people now being asked to trace their own contacts. Testing is absolutely essential. It was outsourced previously. Is it the Minister's intention to shore up capacity?

I tabled an amendment to the legislation that would see Covid-19 designated as a workplace injury and make it notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority. I understand there is support within the Minister's party for doing this. Will he consider my amendment and ensure that the maximum protections are given to people at work? This legislation is a lot about personal responsibility. There is nothing in this, however, that will make an employer or someone running a factory take notice. If Covid-19 was to be designated a workplace injury and notifiable, as per my amendment, that would send a message that it is not only about personal responsibility but employers have a responsibility and a duty to their staff.

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