Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My heart bleeds for Deputy Lahart. If I closed my eyes, it could nearly have been Deputy Durkan talking, who is usually there with his sad stories of what is going on with the Government and how Members opposite are so sensitive. Schools and parents were given 16 hours last weekend to implement new measures for schoolchildren. Perhaps Deputy Lahart will have a small bit of sensitivity for them.

We in Sinn Féin have always said we will support measures in the interest of public health, based on public health advice. What we will not support is the way the Government is seeking to impose restrictions with little consultation, no scrutiny or review of the effectiveness of the measures they are seeking to extend, and a complete disregard for the impact that last-minute measures, mixed messaging and kite-flying have on families, businesses and services. That is why we have submitted a number of amendments to ensure the regulations are scrutinised and subject to the approval of the Houses of the Oireachtas or, where urgent, that of the Joint Committee on Health. We also demand that a report reviewing the use and impact of the provisions in the Bill be provided two weeks before an extension is proposed.

We ask for these measures for very good reason. There has been an unacceptable level of consultation with, and briefing of, the Opposition in the drafting and setting of new regulations and guidance. At every turn, the Government has avoided scrutiny of the measures it seeks to extend. This makes for poor decision-making, which is something we cannot afford given the challenges facing our health and livelihoods. We have seen the consequences of this in impractical and unworkable rules being imposed on businesses, schools and families. This lack of transparency always results in the key stakeholders being excluded. Where was the consultation with schools, principals, parents and GPs on the face mask rules? A quick email to principals the evening before the rules were due to come into effect was an outrageous example of incompetence on the part of the Government, which had a week to decide on the measures but left schools and parents with just hours to prepare. This attitude gives the impression the Government is either out of its depth or is putting politics above the welfare of the State. Ministers kept repeating that the schools were safe but took no action to ensure this was the case, sending children back to school with no mitigation measures. Open windows were the solution; now it is children having to wear masks. In the first 36 hours of antigen testing being available for pod contacts in schools, 10,000 tests were being ordered. The Government cannot pretend there is no Covid in our schools.

What about businesses? Unclear guidance, mixed messages and impractical rules are damaging them. The Government response is an insult to every business owner who needs the EWSS and PUP payments restored immediately. Businesses are screaming for help. They are looking for certainty and a plan. The time for mixed messaging, no accountability and a lack of scrutiny of the Government's measures must end. Sinn Féin has tabled a number of motions that had the express purpose of keeping people safe, ensuring draft regulations are not repeated and there is full scrutiny to assist families and businesses through this crisis. If our amendments to this Bill are not accepted, we will not support it. The Minister has had plenty of time to address our concerns and correct the democratic deficit. We might be able to worry about his sensitivities after he does that.

See this speech in context