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

In theory, mandatory hotel quarantine was a smart measure to slow and stop the introduction of new variants. In practice, our system quickly accelerated from being problematic to being dangerous. Ireland’s version of quarantine exacerbates the difficulties involved, distinguishes between the between the rich and poor, ignores science and puts front-line workers and their communities at risk while failing to protect Irish people. The Government has had ample opportunity to address these issues but has shown no serious interest in doing so. Enough is enough. It is time to end hotel quarantine before it becomes a bigger rights violation than it already is. Any closures or bans, such as those relating to lockdowns, should have been comprehensive and short, not half-baked and drawn out indefinitely. Unfortunately, due to the half-baked policies of this Government, Ireland’s restrictions are being drawn out indefinitely.

The Tifco Hotel Group is being paid over €5.4 million for operating the Government’s mandatory hotel quarantine system. It has turned into a lucrative gravy train for those selected by the HSE and the Government to provide services at 11 different hotels. Travel and event management operators made submissions to the Department offering to provide a quarantine facility and other services required. Only the Tifco offer was given a contract. Apollo Global Management are the current owners of the Tifco Hotel Group and, according to a report, the CEO is being questioned about his links with convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The US media is still reporting on that connection this week. Why has the Government ignored it?

On Tuesday, we saw the pilots outside the convention centre. I did not get a chance to speak to them but I will speak for them now. Their union has called on the Government to immediately end the two-week mandatory quarantine imposed on travellers from the US, whose vaccination programme is well advanced. The CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, said the other day that mandatory hotel quarantine had been completely useless because variants had still entered the country. He stated that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is without doubt one of the worst Ministers with responsibility for transport ever. I and my colleagues in the Rural Independent Group fully endorse and support the pilots' union and the aviation sector.

What is needed is for the Government to introduce rapid antigen testing for travellers, for traveller harmonisation between the Republic and the UK and for every US citizen who has been vaccinated to be allowed to enter the country. We need to follow other countries that are moving with confidence in respect of international travel and embracing technology. We also need an acute appreciation on the part of the Government of the fact that most airlines make 90% of their revenue in the months of June, July and August. An acknowledgement that freedom of movement within the EU is enshrined fundamental right of the EU citizen is also needed.

My local airport, Cork Airport, is planning on closing in the winter months for runway repairs. After all the closures this year, I encourage those at the airport and the Minister try to try and get this work done at night and keep the facility open. This is vital for west Cork and if that does not end up being the way, I ask for at least a guarantee that all Cork-based crew are guaranteed a job and some type of payment similar to the pandemic unemployment payment being put in place, if closure of the airport is to go ahead. I am totally opposed to it. It needs to be done by night in order to secure jobs, keep the airport open and keep the struggling economy of west Cork going.

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