Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is now 22 months since this House enacted legislation that imposed very significant restrictions on people's lives and freedoms. At the time Deputy Donnelly and I, as well as Deputy Lahart, were in opposition on the other side of the Chamber. In fairness to this Dáil, every party in this Chamber agreed with that legislation, which was enacted back in March 2020. All Independent Deputies supported it as well. It is important, however, that we reflect on the powers that were given as a result of that legislation because they were extraordinary. We were given the power to restrict people's freedom of movement and stop people from leaving their houses unless they had a reasonable excuse. There were powers to close down schools and to allow children to be educated at home and there were even powers to close businesses and restrict people from playing sport. They were extraordinary powers that this House delegated to the Minister for Health.

The reason we did so was because of the great fear we had. It was a fear of a pandemic about which we knew so little and which seemed to be posing such a threat around the world. It initially started in China but when it came into Italy it sent shock waves throughout the rest of Europe. After that, we had significant lockdowns. Relative to the rest of the world, we probably imposed some of the most strict and lengthy lockdowns in the world. The reason the Irish public went along with that, and the reason the body politic remained united in respect of it, was, to be blunt, because of fear and because of hope. The fear was one of this unknown disease and what it was going to do to the public and the fact that so many people were dying as a result of it throughout the world, but the hope was also hugely important. The hope was that vaccines were coming on the horizon. One of the most remarkable achievements of mankind so far in this century has been to produce vaccines that have been so effective in protecting people from this dangerous disease.

The Minister does not generally get credit from the media or the Opposition but what they cannot take away from him is the fact that he presided over an extremely successful vaccination programme and he is continuing to do so. What we managed to achieve in this country is quite extraordinary. We have 93% of the adult population vaccinated. If we had said that to people in this House before the vaccination programme started, they would have thought it highly unlikely that that level of success could be achieved. We are also now seeing the extent to which the vaccines are effective. The Minister mentioned that 50% of the people in ICU are unvaccinated and do not have underlying conditions, whereas the 50% who are vaccinated do, regrettably, have underlying conditions. Obviously we wish all people in hospital well and we want to ensure those patients get out of ICU.

The purpose of the lockdowns and restrictions was to ensure our health system did not become overrun. That was the primary objective and that was the reason it was justified and accepted in this House. Today, there are 528 people in hospital, 110 of whom are in ICU. Our health system is not being overrun. We need to recognise that there are threats to the healthcare system but also we need to recognise that the Irish public have been through an awful lot. Many people are concerned today because notwithstanding the fact that we have 93% of the population vaccinated and that we had some of the lengthiest and strictest lockdowns in the world we are considering reimposing restrictions.

The Cabinet has a difficult task, but it is important we take into account that factor as well as where the public is in respect of this issue. When NPHET puts out information to the effect it is making recommendations to the Government, that puts the Government in a difficult position, but when making decisions, it is important we try to retain the level of agreement and consensus that has existed in this House and among the public to date. My concern is that it is probably inevitable that support will become more fractured and fragmented as time goes on.

Twenty months ago, I emphasised what I thought was the importance of considering the consequences of the restrictions. We all see the consequences of the pandemic in the more than 5,700 Covid-associated deaths and the number of people who have been to hospital, but we do not appreciate the damage the restrictions can have on various sections of our population. I have always been concerned about the impact lockdowns have on children. The closure of schools was devastating to children and we need a much broader perception of what public health is when considering issues in respect of schools. It is a great achievement that our schools have remained open, but there should be no question mark over them closing. It is fundamental to the educational, social, physical, personal and public health development of children in general that they stay open.

I have noticed that the levels of anxiety in society have increased significantly recently. There is a fear we are in an endless cycle of new variants each year that will inevitably result in the Government and the Oireachtas supporting further restrictions on people's movements. However, we need to recognise we are in a different position today than we were in March or even December 2020. The benefits of vaccination mean something and are significant. One of the great advantages of there being such widespread vaccination is we can now have a broader assessment of what risk is. At the beginning of the pandemic, risk was viewed exclusively in terms of the impact the pandemic was having on our public health system and the impact the disease was having on individuals. We must now recognise we need a broader assessment of risk. When considering restrictions, we need to recognise the damage they can do to the public at large, in particular children and other young people.

I will support the legislation. It is important the Minister would have this power. I know he will be careful in exercising it because he will take into account the factors I have mentioned.

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