Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As regards the ban, it relates to circumstances in which the wearing of a mask is intended to intimidate. I am not sure what is actually meant by that. It is obviously a completely subjective and meaningless test. There is a grey area regarding what constitutes a mask in the first instance. I have seen exemptions mentioned. Surely, anyone wanting to cover their face with a scarf or a medical mask can achieve the same effect without falling under the law. It is completely pointless. The Government is bringing in laws that mean nothing, cannot be effective, have no standing whatsoever and are not dealing with the crisis, namely, the accommodation crisis. As normal, even with this legislation, after having had the justice portfolio for 13 years Fine Gael in government is still trying to address issues not dealt with in the past and rectify its mistakes.

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