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

My main concern about the continuation of this legislation is based on the experiences I have had over recent weeks and months. I will give an example. I encountered very special circumstances where a family member wanted to come back to be with a dying parent. It did not happen because of the quarantining. The person could not even come home for the burial because of the quarantining. An exception could have been made in that instance. A case was made but it was not accepted.

Every one of us is for nothing else but putting in place the best public health and safety regulations but there can be exceptions to everything, and they can be handled properly and well. We have had people quarantining in houses. A person in a house getting ready to leave this world could have been allowed a visit by a relative who could have quarantined in that house. There was a total lack of compassion, understanding and communication. We have enough people working for the State and in Departments to deal with circumstances of special concern that are brought to their attention. We have the machinery of State to help those affected. Unfortunately, in the system of mandatory quarantine in hotels, there has been no compassion or understanding. I am very angry about that. How could we be expected to rubber-stamp this measure and allow it to continue for the forthcoming months into the fall of the year? That is why I would not support it. That is why I would oppose it. That is why I would not agree with it.

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