Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As Senator Conway outlined, there is merit in the amendments tabled by colleagues. I accept the good faith in which they are put down. There is particular merit in the proposal outlined by Senator Ruane on the limiting of the automatic rolling over of the renewal periods.

I will address some of the comments made by Senator Mullen. I too was watching the golf a few days ago. It was a great performance by the winner but the weather is completely different in the United States. One can have a very full outdoor life at the moment in the United States. I wish we had better weather.

The funeral restrictions are very harsh. I unfortunately lost two uncles during the past 14 months and had to watch their funerals on YouTube. It is very restrictive but it is done with the best of intentions. Senator Mullen referenced the fact that the Minister needed to earn the trust of the public. I think he has more than earned the trust of the public. The schools have reopened, the vaccination programme is flying along, our death rate and infection rates are dropping and we are holding it together very well. To suggest the Minister and the Government need to earn the trust and that they have not already earned it is highly insulting.

The constant references to repressive regimes when referring to the Government or anything the Government tries to do are highly insulting. Other people have referred to Ireland as being like a Nazi country and a Hitler regime being run. That is completely inappropriate and we need to stop with-----