Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have this short time to speak on this legislation, just to put my views on record with regard to it. In short, I would not be starting from here with regard to lifting restrictions. It is a bit disingenuous of the Government to say that it needs the support of all Members of the Dáil for these measures. When the Government is asking for our support, it is a sure sign that there are big problems with it. It has only restarted meetings with the Opposition in the past few weeks because it is getting it hard again and want to make it look like we are all in this together.

The Government has stated it is are doing this with the agreement of NPHET or on its recommendation and that is probably because it has lost the argument and is trying to recover some credibility with NPHET as well. This has already been done last Christmas and we have seen how that worked out, sadly, for many people and families. Smashing the social solidarity that we had on Covid-19 at this stage is nonsensical. There is no more feeling that we are all in this together anymore.

We would be better served at this stage to reinforce the wearing of masks, washing hands and social distancing and then trusting people to behave properly. We should also be saying to proprietors of different sized properties, pubs and restaurants, that they can accommodate X number of customers safely and that they have to make that work, depending on the size of their property. At least then every premises would be entitled to reopen and enforce the conditions on them.

Instead, we have this system that is totally unworkable. The Government has deliberately designed it so that it will not be enforced but will make it look like it is doing something. It is basically to open up on a free for all. Some premises will not open at all because they do not want to be singling out their customers on a supposed passport and others that will open and try to make the system work, crucifying themselves in the process.

Already in Donegal, a local hotelier and Fianna Fáil councillor has claimed that he will break the rules because they are unworkable. Then there will be the premises that will pretend that they will do it but will ignore all the restrictions and put everyone at risk. The reality, however, is that there will be no checks on them. I heard the nonsensical discussion on the radio that the supposed inspectors will not be working at the time the breaches will take place. If it all happens between nine and five, well and good, then it will be enforced but the agency will not pay overtime for inspections.

In recent days, I have seen the news reports about the Dutch Government locking down again and apologising to the public for opening up too quickly. I am reminded of Christmas, when they closed down on Christmas Eve because cases were going beyond control while at the same time, the Minister was saying we have to have a meaningful Christmas and opening up. We know now how that worked out. For that reason, I am opposing this legislation.

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