Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Under the new Covid restrictions, a priest can be fined, imprisoned or both for saying a mass in public. The same applies to any minister of any religion who holds a public ceremony or act of worship. This is drastic, draconian and unacceptable and raises questions about the constitutionality of the measures taken today. It is totally disproportionate. The regulations state that no person shall leave their house or place of residence without reasonable excuse and lists 25 exemptions or reasons persons are allowed to leave their home. A minister of religion, priest or any member of the clergy can only leave his or her house in the line of duty, to lead worship online, to attend sick calls or to conduct a wedding or funeral service. There is no list of exemptions for members of the public to attend a church or other place of worship.

We have introduced penal offences for breaching these regulations. It is drastic. In Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries in Europe, the number of people who can attend a religious service is limited to 30. Only three countries in the world, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and mother Ireland, have banned religious services in public. We cannot do enough to attack the church and destroy the people's faith.

I appeal to the Government. Churches and church institutions have to be heated and must have Covid measures in place. I salute the parish councils, priests and volunteers. They need financial support because they do not get contributions when people are unable to attend for worship. They need support from the Government like any other business. The nourishing of our faith is hugely important to many people.

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