Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Táim buíoch don deis labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Covid-19 has radically impacted on the health and well-being of people around the country. Many families have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances and many families listening to this debate are in bereavement or serious grief. The country needs to do everything it can to make sure we reduce the incidence of this illness. We must do our best to make sure we get the daily case figures down to single digits if possible. It is important in a debate such as this that we do not forget the other elements in society which have also been severely struggling as a result of this pandemic. As we approach one year since this illness struck, it is important that we look at what is happening in real time in communities throughout the country.

The first issue to remember is that there is, as was said in a committee meeting yesterday, a tsunami of non-Covid illness washing across the country. Well over 850,000 people are on waiting lists for treatment for very serious health issues, including cancer, heart disease and stroke, and mental health patients are struggling to get diagnoses, never mind treatment. There is no doubt in my mind that as a result of what is happening in the health service and the withholding of treatment and diagnosis from these patients, many people will suffer serious deterioration in their health and morbidity and some will suffer mortality.

It is also important to look at what is happening in people's lives. As a result of lockdowns and the lack of schooling, the development of children into teenagers and adults is being radically stunted because of their inability to socialise, create friendships or develop their personalities and their parents' nerves are frayed. This is translating into major problems with alcoholism and domestic abuse, which are imprisoning many women and families in fear. In my community, older people are living in constant fear. Many of them feel the clock is running down on the remaining years they have on this planet and that this is happening while they are in isolation. The solace and supports that many generations have depended upon, for example, religious services, have been denied to these people.

Many people feel deep social isolation and claustrophobia as a result of lockdown. This is eroding their mental health in a big way. I spoke to a volunteer and anti-suicide activist in Galway, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's county, who spoke of the chilling effect the sound of helicopters flying over the Corrib is having at the moment as they search for four people in the Galway city area. This is being replicated throughout the country. We need to suppress this virus but we cannot forget about the rest of society. We are in a dark place as a country but people must see light at the end of the tunnel.

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