David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister on bringing forward this legislation. I also commend everybody involved in putting in place over recent weeks the infrastructure that has allowed outdoor hospitality and outdoor dining to become a reality. Any of us who have walked through the streets of Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Cork or any city, town or village, will have seen the pop-up infrastructure in place and people dining outdoors in a controlled environment, which is always better than uncontrolled environments. It is a very welcome addition and weather permitting, I would hope to see it become a permanent feature during the summer months over the next years. It brings a vibrancy to towns, villages and city centres that adds real value. This is something to be positive about.

I am concerned about the lack of certainty in respect of the wider reopenings for indoor hospitality. I fully accept that this is tough for everybody. I get it that the Government must make tough decisions. We in Opposition are also being asked hard questions. The people who are living the consequences of a lack of inaction are the restaurateurs, the publicans, the staff, young people and people who might become victims of what could be a very unfair solution put in place. Every option has to be on the table. We need the Government to now come back with a plan that provides certainty on when we can see reopenings for everybody. Antigen testing should be on the table. The key to all of this is the vaccine roll-out. We need to see an updated vaccine roll-out plan delivered by the Government as quickly as possible. That is the key to unlocking all of this.

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