Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I acknowledge the number of times the Minister has come to the Seanad, which is very much appreciated. Any time he has been asked to come, he has, and I thank him for that.

I welcome this Bill. As Senator Byrne said, it is funny how Opposition Members seem consistently to change their tack on a few things. They are now all in favour of total lockdown. As Senator Byrne pointed out on Senator Keogan’s contradictions, I remember that back in December she wanted spectators at the All-Ireland final, but now everyone needs to be locked down and to stay at home and be safe.

What the Minister is doing is right. It is important we welcome this. I think I was the first in the Seanad to speak in early October about how we needed to bring in stricter measures in terms of fines to keep people at home and to keep people safe.