Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to Deputy Bríd Smith first. The advice that we must follow is the public health advice. As I said, we expect further details later on this afternoon in respect of public health advice on the countries to which travel restrictions should be applied and the type of restrictions that should be put in place. We will follow that advice.

We must consider the issues around the reopening of certain activities. In my mind, it is not driven by any lobbying or economic imperative, but by the following. First and foremost, children need to go back to school. The imperative there is mental health, which is a public health issue. It is a particular concern for children from disadvantaged communities, who may not have the same access to online facilities that other students have. In that case, while listening and discussing the issue with public health, we must get the balance right. We must decide when the right time is for schools to come back. Similarly, there is also an issue in respect of construction. We want to build homes for our people and other facilities, such as hospitals. A balancing of priorities is required. It is appropriate for us to open the schools and construction first.

In response to Deputy Paul Murphy's question, I will have to look into the details of the 20% cut in services and revert to him. I cannot make a comment on that issue immediately.

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