Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, back to the House. Of course, we would prefer if she was here in better circumstances. We think back to last March, when we passed the emergency legislation in the Seanad. The sunset clause was an amendment that was put into the legislation and we were looking at a timeline of November. That was how optimistic people were that we would get this virus under control, and that this public health emergency would be under control and well on the way to recovery, but, sadly, that is not the case. Sadly, the situation in October is that in excess of 50,000 people have contracted Covid-19 and we have lost more than 2,000 people on the island of Ireland. It is appropriate that we would send our sympathies to the families of the people who, sadly and tragically, have lost their lives to this awful disease. To the 50,000 people who picked it up, we wish them well.

Unfortunately, we are back here to deal with the sunset clause and it is appropriate that we would extend it until next June. I am glad the Minister of State has given an undertaking that if the public health emergency is dealt with, if we are fortunate enough that a vaccine is found, if this six-week period results in a flattening of the curve and if, post-Christmas, we are on the road to recovery from this virus, she will look to delete the sunset clause and will come back to the House to do that. However, it is appropriate at this time that we would extend it to next June.

Of course, this is emergency legislation. It is legislation that would not be brought through these Houses except for the public health emergency. It is a once-in-a-generation situation and we have not had such an emergency in close to 100 years, since the Spanish flu. We are here in a time of crisis that we wish we were not in.

The good that is coming out of this is that people do pull together. The goodness, strength of character and determination of people will shine through and is already shining through. We have a very difficult six weeks ahead of us. I appeal to all the people of Ireland that this is a chance for every single one of us to be leaders. We all have a part to play in this battle. All of us in this House are leaders within our communities and leaders in our country. I have no doubt that, across the House, we will show the type of leadership that we should. I have no doubt every citizen, when he or she realises the challenges and the difficulties our country faces, as well as the absolute heartbreak that some of our citizens have already faced, will want to protect the vulnerable and the elderly in our communities.

We need to get the basics right. Social distancing means staying 2 m away from people, even if a person is wearing a mask, and coughing and sneezing etiquette and the washing of hands are all things that make a difference. We have a role to play as leaders. We all need to use our social media channels to keep pushing the message and pushing the narrative. We can have all the legislation we want but unless we come together as a nation, we will not succeed.

I wish the Minister of State well in the very important portfolio of mental health and its other aspects. In my capacity as party spokesperson on health in the Seanad, I look forward to working very closely with the Minister of State because I share her goals and aspirations for the Department and for the people of Ireland, particularly those who need the supports and services of the Department. I look forward to working with her in the next three to four years to rebuild our society and our health service after this crisis. We will get through this crisis, of that I have no doubt. The people of Ireland will come together and we will defeat this virus. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, the scientists and medical experts who are working night and day to find a vaccine will succeed and we will all be able to move on to rebuilding Ireland into the great country it is, has been and will be again.