Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is all right but this is very serious. The Government has not spoken to the GPs and I am being told that no one has given them direction. They are only hearing about these requests on the radio, the media, the television, or whatever and that is not fair to that profession. These are professional people doing a professional job and they are at the pin of their collar to look after their communities and sick people. The Minister for Education said clearly yesterday on Radio Kerry that children over nine years of age cannot go into school unless they are wearing a mask or they have a letter of exemption. That is where the trouble is because the parents are not able to get the letter of exemption.

If they can get one it takes time to get it. An understanding has to be arrived at with the GPs to ensure that children and parents are not disenfranchised because children's health has to be prioritised. Their need for education has to be recognised as well.

I am in a difficult spot because I wanted to raise more things, although they might have been raised already. The following matter was not raised by Members. I want to ensure that families can go into hospitals and nursing homes to visit their sick relatives. Many elderly people have died after spending a number of weeks in hospitals and nursing homes without visitors. There must be some way that visitors can dress up in the same manner as the nurses and go in. Exceptions must be made to provide for visitors to go in and see the people who are in nursing homes or hospitals. That has to be done. It is unfair that people who gave their lives to this country and brought us to where we are die alone, are sick alone or stay in nursing homes alone without visitors. I do not want us to arrive at that situation because that is unfair on these people. I will leave it at that and I will be listening to the replies of the Minister and the Minister of State.

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