Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to share time with Senator O'Loughlin. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As one of the people who has been most vociferous in calling for a debate on living with Covid-19, I am pleased the Minister of State is with us today. Many of the points have already been addressed.

We must keep the people with us for a protracted period. Even with the emergence of a vaccine, it is clear that Covid-19 will be around for a considerable time. I appeal to the Minister of State to look at a couple of areas. For example, on foreign travel and the aviation sector, we need to get a plan in place to allow essential workers to travel between different countries. We have to begin a process of getting people back travelling again. That requires testing and tracing and all the other activities that go on at the airport. There is a need to accept that foreign travel is an important component of living with Covid-19.

We also need to look at some of the rural activities. We have to be clear that a cattle mart is an integral part of farming and the production of food.While I accept the necessity for social distancing and people staying the required distance apart, cattle buyers must be allowed back into cattle marts. The marts can facilitate this in a safe and effective way. Some of the rural pursuits also need to be considered, including hunting with a dog and hare coursing. Regardless of whether the latter is a sport with which one agrees, it is legal in this State but is forbidden in the current climate. These are activities that take place outside. Hunting for pheasants is another activity on which people have their own views. I am not a huntsman but I know many who are and for them, it is their only outlet and their only pursuit at this time of year. They have dogs trained for this particular pursuit and sadly, they are not able to do it even though there is no real threat or risk of catching Covid-19 in that environment.

I appeal to the Minister to consider the necessity of keeping the Irish people with us as we progress through the next phase and get to Christmas and beyond. It is really important that whatever the status of Covid-19 at that time, we allow people to come home for Christmas. There are many elderly people who may not get another chance to see their loved ones, including their sons, daughters and grandchildren. This is really important. I appeal to the Minister to take those points on board. Sadly, we do not have enough time to address all of my concerns.