Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was wondering if we would have an opportunity to speak on this matter. I want to mark my opposition to what the Government is doing in its proposals. My reasons for doing so differ from those that other Members have set out. The Government has been too quick to reopen. It is doing so to get publicity and a pat on the back. We should have waited for another month or so before reopening.

We have to put measures in place that will make the Government row back a bit and require it to consult the Dáil, as it should. That is why I am supporting these amendments and others that we will propose later to require the Government to submit reports on what it will do before extending any of these measures. The whole of last year was lost because the Government did not learn or put anything in place on this issue. We have spent a whole year with these measures in place, which is just wrong. I am not go on any longer because everybody else went on for too long and other Deputies are waiting to make their contribution. I oppose the Bill.

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