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

Will the Deputy hear me out please? Developmentally, children being in school trumps everything. The development needs of children regress or are undermined if they are out of school for any prolonged period. That is the context here. To protect that central objective, the public health advice recommends the wearing of masks. The Chief Medical Officer and the deputy chief medical officer are of the view that this will help in reducing overall transmission and will protect schools and the education system.

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