Seanad debates

Friday, 6 November 2020

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

9:30 am

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Members in asking that we support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization. Lawmakers in most European countries are in favour of Taiwan joining the WHO. It makes no sense, if we are collectively trying to defeat Covid-19, that Taiwan cannot participate in the WHO. I urge the House and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to lend Ireland's support to its participation.

I ask the Cathaoirleach and Leader to arrange a debate on the forthcoming decision of NPHET on moving from level 5 to a different level, whatever it may be. It is important we have a debate on moving from level 5, including on issues such as places of worship. I support Senator Dooley's remarks this morning on rural pursuits, be it coursing or pheasant shooting. That is an issue we need to look at. It is important we have an informed and meaningful debate on how we can collectively address and live with Covid-19. We, as parliamentarians, must have a role and a say in that debate and contribute to public discourse on living with level 5. In particular it is important we stand with our hospitality sector which has suffered enormously as a result of Covid-19, especially small restaurants and coffee shops in many of our cities and towns. If we move to level 3, small and medium enterprise owners must be given an opportunity to pursue indoor dining.

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