Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for raising these important matters and allowing us time to discuss them today. I would prefer we were not standing on the floor of the Dáil discussing this, the variant had not arrived and we were in a completely different space. It is not perfect but it gives us the opportunity to get the doors open within NPHET recommendations. It it something we can build on. That is what I am hearing from vintners and from Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on everyone across Ireland and it continues to do so. From the outset, the Government put in place a robust, responsive strategy that has successfully mitigated the impact of Covid-19. Our response is health-led, risk-based and evidence-informed, with the protection of public health being the overarching consideration. This strategy, which has been consistently informed by international guidance from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, ECDC, and WHO, has protected people from illness and saved lives.

Across the country, there has been a continuous high level of co-operation with, and support for, public health measures. Solidarity has been the cornerstone of our national response to the pandemic. Together we have made significant and sustained progress on suppressing the virus over recent months thanks to the individual and collective efforts that have been made. There has been unprecedented cross-society, cross-sectoral co-operation with the many initiatives to support the national response.

This robust, responsive strategy, together with public action, means we are in a relatively good place. Ireland compares well internationally and is among the countries in the EU with lower number of cases and deaths per 100,000 of the population. Of course, each one of these deaths represents a significant loss and I extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all who have lost loved ones and everyone who has suffered as a result of the pandemic.

We are making progress. Vaccines are proving crucial in our efforts to overcome this pandemic and reopen our society. We are fortunate to have safe vaccines which are proving very effective against severe illness. We did not think it would be possible to have such an effective suite of vaccines available within a year of the declaration of the pandemic. This is a testament to global collaboration and human accomplishment. In Ireland we are reaping the benefits. Our national vaccination programme continues at pace. Over 4.7 million vaccines have been administered. Over 2.6 million people have received a first dose and 1.85 million are now fully vaccinated. More than half of the eligible population is now fully vaccinated and this significant progress has enabled the partial reopening of Irish society. Through April, May and June, the Government has gradually eased public health restrictions in line with the reopening plan set out in Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery: The Path Ahead while remaining responsive to the evolving epidemiological situation.

We know that the evolution of variants is a natural aspect of a pandemic and we have seen a number of variants arise. The Delta variant poses a significant threat to the progress we have made. This variant is significantly more transmissible and poses a real risk, in particular, to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination. Our case numbers are growing. The national 14-day incidence rate increased from 93 per 100,000 in the week of 24 June to 146 as of 12 July. Community test positivity is increasing and the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospital has increased. This is concerning, especially since our health and social care system, particularly our hospital system, remains in a fragile position with a significant backlog of non-Covid care following the demand for Covid-19 care in the early part of this year. This has been exacerbated by the ransomware attack on the HSE. In addition, evidence of the long-term health consequences of Covid-19 continue to emerge and this may place further demands on our services.

Recent modelling by the Irish epidemiological modelling advisory group, which advises NPHET, shows that we will see a significant number of new cases of Covid- 19 by the end of September, which, if not mitigated against, will impact negatively on our healthcare system and result in many more deaths from Covid-19. The Delta variant therefore poses a serious risk. The public health advice from NPHET has been clear that higher risk activities involving significant levels of social mixing in indoor environments should only be permitted for those who are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

We have made significant progress in reopening our society and economy and we are committed to continuing to reopen and regenerate. However, we must protect the progress we have made and continue to protect those most vulnerable to the severe impacts of Covid-19. Our core priorities are protecting health and social care, education and childcare services.

On 29 June, the Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society. From 5 July, the numbers permitted at outdoor organised events increased to 200 attendees for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 500 people permitted in venues with capacity greater than 5,000. This is welcome and is enabling people to reconnect with their enjoyment of the arts, culture and sport. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has been engaging with a working group of the FAI, the IRFU, the GAA and Sport Ireland and guidelines have been published outlining how spectators can be safely accommodated at sporting events. Sports and cultural pilot events are taking place in June and July throughout the country. The intention is that we will learn from these pilots and that, subject to the epidemiological profile at the time, they may enable greater attendances at future events. The Government is fully committed to enabling communities around Ireland to once again attend our favourite sports and entertainment events.

Due to the risk posed by the Delta variant, it has not been possible yet to reopen all settings or activities. The Government decided to pause the easing of restrictions on a number of higher risk activities, including indoor restaurant and bar services. Since 29 June, the Government has been working with the hospitality sector to enable the safer reopening of indoor restaurant and bar services and legislation on this will be introduced later today. It is important to note that our aim is not only to open indoor hospitality but to keep it open while keeping the people of the country safe.

While in-person religious services are permitted with protective measures, the Government has advised that organised religious ceremonies, with the exception of weddings and funerals, do not take place at present. We recognise the importance of these occasions to communities and families and the Government continues to work with religious leaders to ensure all religious ceremonies can return as soon as it is safe to do so.

I assure Deputies that the Government is deeply aware of the continuing economic and social impacts of the current public health restrictions. It is committed to the continued gradual easing of public health restrictions in line with the evolving epidemiological situation. Safe reopening is the goal, and is essential for the benefit of our society, communities and economy. As a rural Deputy, I know the impact it has on local pubs and restaurants. I know that having a restaurant open to full capacity for a week in July is the equivalent of a month in November, December or January. That is why we are having a phased reopening and a compromise has been found. That is why the Government is committed to listening and working with industry, including the vintners associations and the Restaurants Association of Ireland. That collaboration has brought us to where we are today.

This is not just the Government making a decision-----

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