Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate. I note from the press releases that a number of conclusions were agreed between member states and I would like to highlight a number of these.

It is noted that the European Council welcomes the good progress being made on the vaccination roll-out and the gradual improvement in the overall situation. It also stresses the need to continue the vaccination efforts and to be vigilant of the emergence and spread of new variants. I welcome these statements, but I wish to ask the Minister of State a number of questions on them. Will he confirm that he raised the issue of the supply of vaccines and did he receive a commitment that all promised supplies would be delivered as promised and on time? Will he also confirm whether he discussed the approach that Ireland was taking to lockdown and how this compared with other member states? The fact that we are the only member state that currently does not allow indoor hospitality makes me wonder why other countries are not taking this approach and why we are not taking the approach of other member states. Will the Minister of State please address this point? Surely we must fight this pandemic as a united front and not take a different approach to our European members. The simple fact is that the hospitality sector is facing another summer of ruin, not through any fault of its own, but because of recent decisions taken by the Government. What evidence have we to make our approach different from the rest of Europe's?

Another upsetting aspect is the fact that first holy communions and confirmations are not permitted to go ahead. This beggars belief. I have been inundated with calls from angry clergy, school principals and parents all week as a result of this ridiculous situation. I know families that have cancelled holidays and got everything ready so that their loved ones could make their first holy communion or confirmation. It is a ridiculous situation when there are large churches around the country that could take 1,000 or 1,500 people. I heard the Tánaiste this morning mention that he loved going to the cinema and that there would be four or five seats between people, yet he will not let children have their first holy communions and confirmations. It is a disgrace.

Did the Minister of State discuss our approach to Covid with his European counterparts and get an explanation as to why they were able to open up society fully and we could not? Many of the Deputies present have been watching UEFA Euro 2020 over the past number of weeks. What is really annoying is that those countries were able to host matches when we could not. Did the Minister of State inquire of his European counterparts why this was the case?

I wish to put on record my annoyance with the approach the Government has taken to hospitality this week. What evidence does the Government have to justify this approach and why are our European neighbours taking a different approach? It makes no sense. In order to beat this pandemic, we must have the full backing of the public, but I fear we are losing it.

I do not support the approach discussed yesterday that fully vaccinated people could return to indoor hospitality after 19 July. This does not make any sense. The majority of people working in restaurants and pubs are of the younger generation and are less likely to be vaccinated. To put that in perspective, they will be allowed to work in pubs and restaurants but will not be able to visit those pubs or restaurants with friends. Where is the logic in that? Words fail me.

To conclude on Covid-19, the European Council stated that it had reached agreement on the EU digital Covid certificate and on the revision of the two Council recommendations on travel within the EU and non-essential travel into the EU. It also stated that each member state would apply the recommendations in a manner that ensured the full return to free movement as soon as the public health situation allowed. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could elaborate on this and outline exactly what approach we will be taking and if we will be in line with the rest of Europe. I welcome the Council's statement that it will continue to work towards an international treaty on pandemics.

The European Council issued a statement on economic recovery. The Commission welcomed the entry into force of the "own resources" decision, which will enable it to start borrowing resources for Next Generation EU to support a full and inclusive recovery and help the Union transition to green and digital economies. I note that the Council is encouraging member states to move forward on their national recovery and resilience plans so that they can get the full benefits of the fund. Will the Minister of State update the House on this and where we are with our plan? The funding, which is available under the recovery and resilience facility, will be vital in helping to get our economy back up and running. We do not want a situation where our application is buried in red tape, slowing down the availability of these much-needed funds. An update would be welcome.

I note that the European Council issued a statement condemning the recent malicious cyberattack against member states, including Ireland and Poland. It also stated that it invited the Council of Ministers to explore appropriate measures within the framework of the cyberdiplomacy toolbox. With the greatest of respect, we need more than an invitation to take action against this attack. We need real action and a real commitment from the EU that we will be supported against these terrible cyberattacks. Will the Minister of State update the House on this matter and elaborate on any action the European Council discussed to protect us from these types of attacks?

I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's replies to my questions, in particular those on the lockdown approach and why we are taking such a different approach to indoor hospitality as the rest of Europe. I welcome the €3 million that has been provided to take the Narrow Water bridge project to a further stage. The project has been ongoing for a long time. I would like to see the relationship between the North and South continue.

My questions are valid and I would appreciate it if the Minister of State gave me a decent reply.

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