Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was a schoolteacher until February. As a former schoolteacher, I never doubted for a moment the capacity of schools to be able to withstand the ravages of Covid-19. Yet, in the back of my head I was concerned that the mass gatherings of children and parents at the school gate every morning would lead to a spread of Covid-19. Great credit is due to our country's schools for the work they have done to minimise the spread of the virus and how they have managed everything thus far in what has been the toughest of all academic years.

I wish to speak briefly about the hospitality sector. In the part of the country I come from, social isolation has been practised in pubs for many years. People sit apart on stools. They look down the counters at someone else. They do the crossword and there is little social interaction. This contrasts with the likes of the Berlin D2 bar in Dublin, with people pouring vodka down mouths and running across countertops. That kind of messing has done major damage to the rural model of pub. I hope that when level 5 restrictions are eased in a week or so pubs can be considered. We passed legislation in the House in the summer to allow An Garda Síochána to raid and sanction pubs and take the licence away if the pub is flouting the rules in place.

The choice at the moment will be between drinking in a safe controlled environment, where we can trust the publican and manager, versus people on street corners or, as we have seen in parts of Dublin, drinking at the corner of a pub with take-away pints. That it totally unrealistic and dangerous at this time.

Families deserve a Christmas. It is good for their mental health and the well-being of the family. I appeal to the Government to do everything possible to ensure a Christmas for families near and far, including for people flying in from abroad.

The mantra of "essential travel only" has to change. People should be allowed to travel if they travel with a polymerase chain reaction, PCR, test confirming the person is covid-free at the point of departure and at the point of entry to the country. If the person is not carrying covid, he should be able to go home to the family and spend time with them. Then he may go back to the UK, Dubai or wherever he lives and domicile for the rest of the year.

The issue of masses and religious worship needs to be provided for. Spiritual health is important for people. Many people have contacted my office. If we can have 24 people at a funeral, then we can have 24 at Sunday mass. We can have Irish dancing and outdoor events provided all of these activities are subject to social restrictions. There has to be caveats but a great deal can happen. I urge the Government to make the right decisions in the coming 24 or 48 hours.

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