Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What I do not accept is the deliberate narrative created by Deputies that it was a decision taken without any reference to public health whatsoever. This is from the very same Deputies who will argue consistently for the need to adhere not only to public health advice but to even more severe public health advice in respect of zero Covid and so on. When it suits them, they turn it all around and say that anything they do not like is done by the Government, not on the basis of public health advice. It was the Government working on the advice from public health that took this decision because, at the time, the view was it was leading to disruption within schools and children being out of school. The Deputies cannot have it both ways, but Deputy Murphy tends to have it both ways and each and every way every time he comes in here.

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