Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are in a very severe level 5. It is not only Members but the people behind the scenes who lead to a Dáil sitting happening. There are far more people involved than just the elected representatives. The public health advice has guided the behaviour of the Parliament in this issue. That should be acknowledged.

Numbers are still high out there. Society is in a very severe level of restrictions. There are still in excess of 800 people in hospital and significant numbers in intensive care. Case numbers are still too high and there is a variant. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control report issued on Monday, the potential for the disease to spread is high to very high. That is the context in which we are all operating throughout society.

There will be a Cabinet committee on Thursday on Covid-19 at which we will engage with NPHET and it will make a presentation. I have spoken to the acting CMO. Our immediate priority is a phased return for education, but it will be phased. We are talking about very limited situations after that. That is where we are right now in terms of the Covid plan.

This week's schedule provides for three debates on Covid. Every week, it has been dominated by Covid. The Tánaiste will be here tomorrow for a debate on trade, employment, business and Covid, in respect of which 135 minutes are provided. Earlier, at 10 a.m. there will be statements and questions and answers on drug and alcohol services, homelessness and Covid-19, which do need to be articulated and debated, in particular homelessness and Covid-19 and how it is impacting on the homeless across the board. Today, at 1 p.m. the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be here for a debate on the agriculture, food and the fisheries sector and Covid-19, in respect of which 135 minutes are provided. The Government has approached Covid every week on a thematic basis.

On the Land Development Agency legislation, I acknowledge there are a number of new heads and significant additions to the Bill. We need to get on with the housing agenda.

The Deputy has taken a rather propagandistic position on the Bill, and that is his entitlement, but the country is screaming for new houses to be built.

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