Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate being allowed the time to speak. I welcome this legislation. It is important and prudent that we put in place the necessary legal framework for outdoor dining. While I appreciate the efforts that have been made by businesses in terms of outdoor dining and the rush that was put on, I always say that we must not lose the run of ourselves. It is a fine evening in Dublin, but we must remember that we are not in Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote, the south of Spain or somewhere like that. Much of the time, it is too cold and wet to put out the cat. He would nearly get drowned outside. We must be mindful of that. What we are all aiming for is indoor dining being allowed again.

I represent the people of the tourism capital of Ireland and Europe. That is, of course, County Kerry. I have been inundated by publicans, café owners, restaurant owners and others from the hospitality sector who are bitterly disappointed. They were hoping that the Government would be able to keep to the reopening date of 5 July. They had rosters and everything else put in place. There is so much confusion out there. While this legislation is welcome, given that it puts in place a framework for the Garda to allow the outdoor serving of alcohol and so on to continue, it is a worrying time for these businesses. There is confusion over whether the person who owns the restaurant or pub will have to ask a person at the door whether he or she is vaccinated. People from the legal profession would be a long time scratching their heads over whether it was legal and constitutional to ask people private questions about their healthcare, whether they were vaccinated and whether their families, who would be dining as well, were vaccinated. What would the story be if a child in a family who wished to eat was not vaccinated? We have all these issues to contend with. We have such worries and problems. Coming from County Kerry, I am hearing this from early morning until late at night. There are people who are worried about whether their businesses will ever open. We are hearing people on the media saying that, in their opinion, it could be September or October. People are going through mental anguish. Not too long ago, I raised with the Taoiseach on Leaders' Questions the issue of mental health, the problems that people have with suicide and so on. These matters are of real concern, and it is a concern that the Government and other decision makers must take on board. I am begging and pleading with them to give clarity and be authoritative about what they are doing. They should try to give clear answers to the problems, difficulties and worries that people have and avoid confusion. At the moment, things are extremely confused.

On a personal note, I thank the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, for the great efforts she has always made on issues surrounding County Kerry. She has never let County Kerry down when I have approached her with specific issues and problems. I am relying on people like her to continue helping us into the future.

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