Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have been in this House a few years and have never accused anyone of telling porkies, let alone the Taoiseach. I asked him about schools yesterday because I am genuinely concerned about them. My colleague, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, has been articulating those concerns for some time. When I spoke to the Taoiseach after Taoiseach's Questions, I said that schools will be additionally affected by the new five-day rule. I have young kids and my wife is a teacher. The Taoiseach told me that teachers are exempt. He knows that.

I know the Taoiseach is annoyed because he messed up, but this was not a total misconstruction. He even denied we had a conversation in the Chamber, which made him look rather silly, considering there is a video of it. I will not dwell on it because there are more serious things to discuss but if he wants to call me a liar during his reply, he can. The Taoiseach messed up and had to reverse immediately, which I am glad he did. Teachers, special needs assistants, SNAs, and early years workers cannot be treated differently. The public do not care about such a schoolboy row.

My party, as the Taoiseach knows, is the only Opposition party that has supported the two most recent extensions of public health measures. We will support and work with the Government. However, there is now widespread confusion among the public about what actions they should take. I say this to be constructive. We are sleepwalking into another lockdown. Financial supports need to be put in place for businesses and workers. People out there now are being told to get another job. How is that a way to treat workers?

I spoke this morning to Ms Trina Golden, the exhausted principal of Owenabue Educate Together primary school. She believes schools are going to close all over the country. She had to tell parents not to send their kids to school yesterday. That is in the Taoiseach's constituency. He should ring her and talk to her.

The Minister for Education is absent without leave. The Taoiseach is so embarrassed by the Minister for Health that they have not been seen at a press conference together for more than a year. The Minister for Education said this morning that antigen testing would be operational in schools by the end of the week. Will the Taoiseach confirm that is going to happen? It is a year since I raised the issue of antigen tests. I have been taking them for a year because I have elderly parents. They are not a panacea but they help. Will a subsidy be put in place for antigen tests? Will the Taoiseach consider giving them away for free until 1 January? I would do that, and then subsidise them, so people can get used to them. Will the Taoiseach provide a public information campaign on antigen tests? What additional measures will be provided for schools? As the Labour Party has suggested because of the situation we are in, will the Government provide boosters for schoolteachers, SNAs and early years staff? Is the Taoiseach going to consider taking over private hospitals again? I have never seen the HSE as worried as it is now. Will the Taoiseach commit to putting back in place the PUP and supports for businesses that are now closing because of decisions the Government has had to make?

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