Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Omicron variant is in Ireland. The Taoiseach might take the opportunity in his reply to confirm what he knows about this. It is important that the House is updated immediately on this. Obviously, it is a very serious, but not surprising, issue for us.

I wish to raise the matter of the two letters issued by the Department of Education and the Chief Medical Officer, CMO, on school masks in primary schools, because there is utter confusion in relation to how this was done. The communication process around it was nothing short of diabolical. We support public health advice. I have a son who is ten, a daughter who is 11 and a wife who is a primary school teacher. This measure protects teachers and children. I appreciate and support that. However, for 20 months the Taoiseach has been saying that schools are safe. It took the Government five days to make a decision on these new mask rules, but it gave schools 16 hours notice. Last night's communications arrived after six o'clock when principals had finished. What sort of way is that to communicate with the principals of Ireland in primary schools and boards of management, who have gone through so much over the last year and three quarters in dealing with this virus and keeping the education system going? Surely, there should have been a communications process whereby principals and unions were engaged with, but also children were engaged with. There is a huge difference from a developmental point of view between a nine-year-old and a 15-year-old. This cannot just happen overnight and that is what is being asked. I understand, despite questions from my colleague, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, the Minister of Education has now clarified that there will be a couple of days' grace. Ultimately, this measure is mandatory, and that is fine, but the communications process around it has been frankly diabolical.

Principals were at school gates this morning wondering what they were meant to do. It will be the same tomorrow. There are communication issues regarding the volume of kids who come from non-national backgrounds, for instance. One cannot just push a light switch and think that this will operate perfectly. It will not. There are issues with GPs. Their time cannot be taken up giving out exemptions for masks to kids in school. The GPs are wrecked. There are issues about where they will get all the masks if they have to give more masks to kids during school because I suspect they will need multiple masks during school. Also, there are issues with mixed classes.

The real and most important issue I want to ask the Taoiseach about is what the legal basis for this is and has he guaranteed that principals are legally protected? If they refuse entry to a kid into school, are they legally protected by this State? I note the pdf sent out had no signature on it and was not on headed paper. I want to know if this is non-statutory guidance or if it has a legislative basis. If someone rocks up to the High Court to challenge this, will the Government defend the principal, who will be the person taken to court? This is a critical question. The principals of Ireland are genuinely concerned about this. I am not making this up. They have been on to me and Deputy Ó Ríordáin and are really concerned. What happens if someone challenges them on this? Are they legally protected?

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