Dáil debates

Wednesday, 2 June 2021

Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

6:15 pm

Photo of Matt ShanahanMatt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not propose to take up the House's time for very long. I am speaking in support of amendments Nos. 2 and 51 put forward by the Regional Group. As Deputy Naughten said, the only reason we are here having this debate in the House is because of the sunset clause that was promoted by the Regional Group. We are discussing the need to ensure that public health, transmission and infection data continue to drive thinking. However, it has to be said the restrictions we have put in place are almost draconian. Others have spoken of the effects they are having on the population at large. We have to acknowledge that we have made significant progress on Covid despite the presence of the Indian variant. A promise was given to the people at the start of the pandemic where we were told "let's flatten the curve". We have done a lot more than flatten the curve, we have reduced it significantly. Thankfully, through international science, we have also managed to get vaccines which are having a demonstrable effect in securing the health of the most aged and vulnerable in our community. That must give us some hope into the future.

However, without doubt, we have seen the overarching authority of NPHET to the exclusion of all other health practitioners and advisers. I think that is a dangerous place to be. If the July amendment is not accepted, our amendment seeks a return to the House on 9 September to review the extension of these powers again. We should propose a review at that stage. The Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, of which I was a member, did very good work. When it was being wound up, I felt it was a mistake and I still believe that to be the case. If we are going to extend powers we should also extend the oversight of the Oireachtas to look at what we are doing. NPHET excluded other voices. We saw it with test and trace, with masks, antigen testing and mandatory hotel quarantining. People have a right to show some disquiet. We need to acknowledge the progress we are making and that we have made. Our proposal speaks to sense and sensibility, that if the Minister will not accept July then we return in September. It is only a few months away. People might be able to live with that for another while. We can look at the transmission data, what is happening, the progress of our vaccination programme and based on that, we can come back to the House and see whether these powers should be extended beyond that date.

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