James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to relay a very clear message to NPHET and all those in the HSE who are working on restrictions at the moment. In recent days I have been working closely with people working in the events industry, the arts, travel and air travel and they are very concerned about the Government's current strategy and the map for reopening in terms of our adaptation of technology. That is the critical point I want to stress. I call on the Government to start rolling out additional technological means by which we can scan for Covid-19 to allow for the reopening of society a little bit earlier than scheduled. We know that by the end of June 80% of the population will be vaccinated and we must try to reopen the economy for the summer. I urge the Minister to do that.

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