Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland's leadership in the battle against Covid-19 and our continued vigilance is something to be proud of but I recommend to the Leader that we would have a rolling debate on it in the Seanad and that we keep it under constant review.In particular, it is about the way we will cope with the dreaded second surge. We will have to be ready for that possibility and for the winter flu season, etc. There should be a radical improvement in the carer's allowance, a radical upping of the status of our carers and a celebration of them. I commend that that be part of the debate, as well as retirement villages and granny flats.

As Ireland is leading locally on this issue, we should also monitor Ireland's contribution to the international situation during our debates. We cannot fight this pandemic without having equality between northern and southern Europe. We will have to support the poorer regions and areas. When, please God, a vaccine is found, and there seems to be great progress on it, and it becomes available, it will not work if it is not made available to every section of the population in every part of the world. Ireland should lead a call for that internationally, and we have a capital of goodwill to do that. We must ensure that a logistical plan is ready and financial supports available to get the vaccine to people in every part of the world, and particularly into poorer districts in southern Europe and into the migrant and refugee population. I ask the Leader that we would have a rolling debate under review, perhaps, every month or even less and that we would discuss that, update it and make proposals arising therefrom.

I commend Senator Malcolm Byrne's endorsement of the issue raised by Senator Mullen. We have the credentials now to do it. We are a member of the United Nations Security Council and we should stand up to that sort of shocking abuse in China.