Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It should read "whichever is later".

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the latitude today given we will not have an Order of Business tomorrow. The next number of weeks are probably going to be difficult not just for the operations of this House and the Dáil but for every Irish citizen. We woke up this morning with level 5 imposed on us. Senators Murphy and Dolan brought the impact and reality of this virus home to us with clarity, when they described the information released this morning on the nursing home in County Roscommon, on the County Galway border. It shows us how dangerous and precarious things are. Precarious does not even come close to describing how the families of the residents and staff must be feeling this morning. When we finish voting here, the first call I will make will be to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and Mr. Paul Reid to ensure the services are put in.

There were many requests for debates this morning. Depending on how we sit over the next couple of weeks I will try to accommodate them, particularly those related to Covid, given the Covid committee is no longer sitting. However, we need to be cognisant of the health and the welfare of all the people who keep these Houses running. To that end, I want to put on record my genuine appreciation for the officials, ushers, catering staff and absolutely everybody who tirelessly come in here every day to keep these Houses running and to help us and support us in doing our jobs. I will, however, arrange for debates to be facilitated as quickly as I can.

Last week Senator Craughwell, who is not in the Chamber, asked for a debate on education and I committed to providing that. I tried to arrange for the Minister for Education and Skills to come to us today but unfortunately she had a very busy schedule. She will, hopefully, be back to us the week after next for a debate on substitute teachers. A number of colleagues said this morning that it is very easy for us to be appreciative of our healthcare workers, which we are, but I am always fascinated by the divide and very contentious debate when we talk about our teachers. I really find it fascinating. I do not think I was particularly lucky with the teachers my four children have had, and continue to have. The commitment teachers show not only to education and the quality of education but to the overall well-being of all our students is second to none. When I see the debate becoming vicious towards teachers, suggesting they are being precious about their own healthcare and well-being and that of their children, I get somewhat angry. Perhaps that is not justified but I do not want a society where we all start pitting ourselves against each other. Whether we are all at different levels of being "in it together", we all must experience the same precautions and engage in the same activity and behaviour to protect ourselves, our families and each other. I do not think turning on particular sections of society is in any way helpful.If we sit for a substantial time during the six weeks of lockdown, a debate with numerous Ministers about Covid and its related issues would be helpful – I do not mean this disrespectfully – in holding people to account in the absence of us going about our normal daily schedule, given that we will be told to work from home as much as possible. I will facilitate that debate.

We will not be in a position to vote for the proposed amendment. Senator Boyhan raised this request last week as well. We are working in an extraordinary time. There are not just Covid restrictions, but also other obstacles to running our business normally. We are not in our own Chamber because of objections from certain quarters. We have no guarantee that we will be in this Chamber on any day except, perhaps, a Friday. Even that is not guaranteed, given that the Dáil might choose to sit in this Chamber every single day. Schedules change at very short notice. This week's schedule was issued yesterday at lunchtime. It was again issued today at 10.23 a.m. Based on interactions with the Seanad Office, there was a slight change at 11.20 a.m. The Cathaoirleach highlighted the exact wording a second ago.

I ask Senators for a little latitude and understanding. These are not normal times. Our officials and staff are working flat out to ensure that we can try to hold Ministers to account by having this House and the Lower House functioning as much as possible. However, there are constraints, and they are not just the obvious ones owing to Covid. I will continue trying to provide as much space for debates as I can, but I am cognisant of the fact that we need to mind not only our own health, but the health of those who support and work with us to keep these Chambers open on a daily basis.