Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very disappointed with the response of the Minister of State. This was an opportunity for the Government to show it respected people for the careful manner in which churches were opened. Clergy and volunteers had carried it out but unfortunately the Government has turned its back on them once again. It is incredible to say the least. As I said earlier, and the Minister of State did not address this in her speech, I have no issue with schools being open because it is important that they are but if schools can be reopen and classrooms can be filled why does a church remain closed?

How is it that people can fly into this country and that planes are full? I do not know how many thousands came into Dublin recently. There are planes full of people. The Government has no issue whatsoever with this but it shuts the doors of the churches and will not let people attend mass or services. The clergy want to go ahead with services and people want to attend services but the Government has refused this. As I said, I have great sympathy for people who have lost loved ones and their heartache. It is hard enough to lose loved ones but to think most of the family have to stay at home or stand outside in the rain while there is a service going on in a church that might take between 500 and 700 people is an outrageous and a completely incorrect decision. It is anti-church.

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