Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Despite the massive efforts of everybody involved in our school communities in Kerry to try to contain and keep out Covid-19, unfortunately we have seen a significant outbreak of Covid in the mid-Kerry school catchment area. In particular, one school in the mid-Kerry area is reporting extremely serious figures and each pupil and member of staff in that school has been asked to stay at home and get tested. In this context, there is huge worry in the mid-Kerry area that there will be contagion throughout the school network. We have three post-primary schools and a large number of primary schools in the network. I have to declare to the House that my two little boys are part of the network. Will the Tánaiste ensure this situation will be given the most urgent consideration at the highest level in government, including the Departments of Health and Education, so the situation will be fully considered and all actions will be considered, including the possible early closure of the schools in the catchment area, given the significant risk that I and many others feel now exists?

See this speech in context