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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 14, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on Covid-19 was re-established by the Government on 29 June 2020 to continue to assess the social and economic impacts of the potential spread of Covid-19 and oversee the cross-Government response. The committee met this week on Monday, 29 March. The date of the next meeting has not yet been set.

On 23 February, the revised plan for managing the virus, Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead, was published. The plan sets out our approach to the next phase on our path forward. The objectives of the revised plan are to make steady progress, starting with childcare and schools, while avoiding a further wave of disease or reimposition of restrictions, protect the most vulnerable by an efficient roll-out of the vaccination programme, remain vigilant and agile regarding the uncertainties in the face of new variants, capitalise on emerging evidence on available vaccines, and lay the foundations for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy.

Any easing of measures should be slow and gradual, with sufficient time between phases to assess their impact and respond if the epidemiological situation were to deteriorate. We will take account of emerging international and national evidence and experience and have a specific focus on supporting mental health and well-being. In-school education and childcare services recommenced in a phased manner from 1 March, with the staggered return throughout March to be concluded after the Easter break on 12 April.

Yesterday, the Government agreed further easing of measures, including, from 12 April, allowing two households to meet up with one another outdoors for social and recreational purposes. This does not include private gardens. Any meetings outdoors should be done safely, with continued practising of social distancing and other safe behaviours. Masks should be worn in crowded outdoor places. Travel restrictions will be relaxed to enable travel within one's own county or within 20 km of residence if crossing county boundaries. The message is moving from stay at home to stay local.

From 19 April, there will be an expansion of elite sports activity, to include training for, and playing of, national governing body-sanctioned and organised adult intercounty national GAA league games, not including under-20s and minor competitions, and activities by certain high-performing athletes, as approved by Sport Ireland, in a range of sports.

Subject to the prevailing disease situation, from 26 April, outdoor sports facilities can reopen, including pitches, golf courses, tennis courts and other facilities, as appropriate. Activities should take place between a maximum of two households and there should not be any return to team sports or training activities. Outdoor visitor attractions can reopen, including open pet farms, heritage sites and zoos. This does not include amusement parks. Indoor areas should remain closed and hospitality should only be open for takeaway services.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Robust protective measures, including appropriate capacity limits, should be in place. Underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15 can recommence, with strict protocols. Also from 26 April, maximum attendance at funerals will increase to 25 on compassionate grounds. Linked gatherings should not take place before or after funeral services.

Regarding construction, from 12 April, all residential construction projects can recommence. Early learning childcare and school-aged childcare services will be added to the list of essential services for construction activity.

For those fully vaccinated, current guidance for vulnerable persons will be aligned to that of the general population, which means there will be no requirement to cocoon. Those who are fully vaccinated may visit other fully vaccinated people, from one other household only, indoors from two weeks after second dose.

Subject to the prevailing disease situation, areas for consideration in the next phase, after 4 May, include a full reopening of construction activity, a phased return of non-essential retail, commencing with click-and-collect and outdoor retail, such as garden centres and nurseries, recommencement of personal services on a staggered basis, reopening of museums, galleries and libraries, and recommencement of religious services on a staggered basis.

Many of the level 5 public health measures are premised on the need to reduce congregation and interactions between people in order to reduce transmission. Therefore, everyone is being asked to stay local and comply with all public health measures. We continue to have an unacceptably high level of disease in the community. It is imperative that we continue to suppress the disease over the coming period.

See this speech in context