Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is the final point I will make, and I will not intervene again. The Minister will say, as the Taoiseach said to me yesterday, that the Government will listen to the advice, but it is only certain advice that it is prepared to listen to. Last week, the Ombudsman for Children said there should be a fortnightly review of the use of face masks in schools. That is being ignored by the Government. The Office of the Ombudsman for Children is an expert in dealing with issues regarding children. I accept the office is not an expert in public health advice, but it has recommended that there would be a fortnightly review of the decision. The Government has decided that it will extend the provision until 9 February and perhaps beyond that point. We must take a balanced approach on these issues. We must look at the evidence as it changes and progresses - it will change and progress – and have the support of all of us to progress these measures that are appropriate and based on the evidence available to us at that particular point in time.

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