Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is by dint of an extraordinary national endeavour that we are having a debate here today that has a degree of cautious optimism in the context of Covid-19. The possibility raised in the speech of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, of an earlier release from the restrictions that currently apply to international travel, even ahead of the introduction of the digital green certificate, is very welcome. As I understand it, the digital green certificate is a variation of either vaccination, a clear PCR test or a post confirmed Covid-19 case. That nails the issue of compulsory vaccination. There is also a requirement, however, to delineate clearly the extent to which a green certificate can be applied and to take steps to avoid mission creep, so it is not used to access other services. There are people who cannot be vaccinated, particularly young children and people with certain medical conditions.

Much has been said about connectivity and the Irish economy. Undoubtedly, it is critical, given our dependence on foreign direct investment, the numbers employed in that area, executives who need to travel internationally and our tourism industry. Like most Members who have contributed, we have engaged with myriad people who work in the aviation sector, such as direct employees of airlines, cabin crew and pilots and the other professions associated with it. What they need now is clarity in respect of a plan for reopening. That is evident. I would like to have seen more detail from Ministers today in that regard, but the commitment to ongoing engagement as we cautiously re-engage with international travel is very important.

It is difficult to take the hypocrisy of those who are critical of the Government's approach. Those who opposed a digital green certificate at European level, who were the most ardent advocates of hotel quarantining and more countries being added to the quarantine list and who pilloried anybody who was seen to travel through an international airport are now jumping up and down today and criticising the Government. The Government's response has been predicated on our position in terms of Covid-19 cases.

On the point about reopening and cautious optimism, and I say this advisedly as I am an admirer of NPHET and its advice generally that has got us to this position, NPHET's advice needs to be critically and forensically examined in respect of the reopening of the hospitality sector. It makes no sense to be enabled to dine in a hotel dining room, but not in a restaurant.

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