Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Mattie McGrath, Nolan, Michael Collins and O'Donoghue for raising this important matter. This is not the first time I have responded to the Deputies on this particular issue, which we also discussed it a number of weeks ago.

As the Deputies are aware, the current public health restrictions at level 5 will remain in place until 5 April 2021, when a further review will be conducted. This decision took account of a variety of factors, including the views of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, on the current epidemiology of Covid-19 and the need to take decisive action.

The Government remains united in its resolve to tackle the spread of Covid-19. The disease prevention and control strategy we have adopted seeks to prevent the virus spreading among our population to the greatest extent possible. Based on the current epidemiological situation and the public health restrictions that are in place, it will be necessary to celebrate Easter online at home this year. This is for the protection of our friends, families and our wider communities.

The basic public health advice and regulatory measures aimed at blocking the transmission of Covid-19 from person to person remain vital. From the beginning of the pandemic, we have emphasised the many simple measures that can be taken to do this. They include keeping our distance, washing our hands, wearing a face covering, where required, and avoiding crowds.

The Covid-19 resilience and recovery plan continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, and it will continue to be supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance on measures that apply at each level of the framework. We continue to see good progress but this needs to be sustained.

Speaking on a personal basis, I assure the Deputies that I am extremely conscious of the burdens that have been placed on all members of society as a result of the restrictions that have been imposed. Many people have been unable to live their lives in the way they normally would or participate in the usual rhythms of their communities. As Deputy Nolan said, for many people, being able to go to their local church during the season of Lent, Holy Week and Easter and attend mass with their family and friends would be a major source of comfort and solace at a very difficult time for our country and, indeed, the world. Unfortunately, as Members now know, the environment within which Covid-19 spreads most easily is indoors where a group of people are gathered. At this moment in time, when we are doing our utmost to break the transmission cycle of the virus, this means we must, regrettably, make every effort to reduce such gatherings.

I acknowledge the work the Catholic Church and other faiths have done to put in place comprehensive guidelines to protect their communities, in compliance with HSE public health advice. I hope we will be able to move back from level 5 in the near future. Consistent with level 5 restrictions, however, religious services have moved online at this time. Places of worship are open for private prayer and I remind Deputy Collins that they are not closed. There are exceptions for funerals, at which ten mourners may be in attendance, and weddings, at which six guests may attend. Importantly, under the current public health regulations, ministers of religion are also permitted to travel to perform a service online, minister to the sick and conduct a funeral or wedding ceremony.

Since March 2020 we have learned to live in a world with this virus. We succeeded in doing this thanks to the collective efforts of all of us to adhere to the guidelines, and we can do so again. I will take on board everything said this evening by the four Deputies and bring it back to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly.

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