Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, will be supporting the extension of the sunset clause up until 9 June, with the current one due to expire on 9 November. This allows us to give gardaí additional powers to enter public houses, and private houses for that matter, regarding incidents of law-breaking. It is not often we introduce legislation in this House where we hope it will not be needed. This legislation is an example of that.

Publicans deserve huge credit for the way they have conducted themselves throughout this entire pandemic. They did not have to wait for Government regulations or advice to close down their premises; they acted in advance of that. They deserve huge credit for the mature and sensible stance they took back then. Since then, they have gone through, like many others, a horrible time, both financially and every other way, because they have mortgages, families, children going to college and various expenses they have to meet. They have been through a very difficult time. They got some good news and reopened but before doing so they put their hands in their pockets and spent a great deal of money making sure their premises were fitted properly and safely with the necessary materials to ensure the safety of people who visited their premises. They were just getting going and making a very good job of it when, unfortunately, they had to close again. I have huge sympathy for them. I sincerely hope we get to a point very quickly at the end of the current phase 5 restrictions where we can find a way that allows publicans, and many other businesses for that matter, to open their doors again in a safe manner.

I also wish to raise the issue of the gardaí. They deserve huge credit for the manner in which they conducted themselves since Covid-19 came upon us. I understand the Garda roster has been altered in such a way that more Garda personnel are now out on the streets during the day. That is clearly visible as we drive the highways and the byways of this great country of ours or as we walk down our streets. There is an increased Garda presence. That is a positive aspect. If one positive was to come out of Covid-19, it is that the additional personnel on the ground during peak times has allowed the public, in many ways, and the gardaí to reconnect again in a manner that has been a hugely positive experience not only for the gardaí but for the general public. The manner in which the gardaí have been selling this message has allowed the transition we are currently going through to go very smoothly. They deserve great credit for that.

As we move on and, hopefully, get out of level 5 as soon as possible in a safe manner, it is incumbent on the Government to analyse - we are always learning about this disease - and learn from the areas where we can relax the regulations and rather than use a sledgehammer all the time that we would be a bit more discreet and directive in how we ask businesses to conduct themselves going forward. We are all learning that many businesses can successfully trade and open and still adhere to the regulations. We need to move to that space very quickly.

I agree with this legislation. I am heartened to hear from the Minister of State that the Garda is more or less saying it has not as yet used this legislation. I am not surprised because the vast majority of publicans are very sensible and public-minded individuals. I compliment them for that. I am happy to support this legislation and bring it forward to the House.