Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted that Senator Bacik got a boost from receiving her first jab. I wish every Senator well in the upcoming by-election. Senator Bacik goes into the by-election as a candidate from the Upper House. I know that in our other workplaces, we always wish people well, no matter what jersey they wear. I hope she also gets a boost in the by-election, notwithstanding that the Green Party might win.

I commend the Minister on this continued dedicated efforts on behalf of the people of Ireland. He stated that mandatory quarantining is very effective. The statistics speak for themselves. I know the Minister is aware of civil rights issues in this country and how people have fought for freedom. However, we must strike that balance. It must be done in a respectful and thoughtful way. There are countervailing rights and people's safety and livelihoods must be put first. Nobody wants a fourth wave to come down the tracks. I believe the Government has struck the right note and balance by seeking the support of this House for the proposed extension of the powers to the end of July, as distinct from kicking the extension much further down the line, which would have caused difficulties. This is the case, even if it means that we will have to come back and review the provisions at a later stage. Although they are necessary, the powers are extreme. The Government is treating the issue with the sensitivity it deserves.

The Minister also indicated that he is satisfied that the turnaround of the second PCR test for those in hotel quarantine, processed by the HSE, is efficient. I am glad to hear that. If the results were delayed unnecessarily, it would annoy a section of the people who have no hidden agenda. They do not in any way wish to undermine the Government. People are hugely into civil rights in this country. Advocacy is alive and well.We should thank those advocacy groups and be grateful for them.

I will stray slightly from the script and refer to rapid antigen testing. I am aware that advisers to the Government have a different view on it, but the Minister and the Government are ultimately in charge. The tests are an extra layer of protection. I do not see why there is opposition to the tests if they are treated as an extra layer of protection. They are not a silver bullet, but they can only do good. Perhaps the people who are advising against them think we are not adults and will lose the run of ourselves if we get one and will think we will be safe for forever and a day. That is not the case.

In addition, the Act empowers the Minister to prescribe from time to time other classes of persons who should be exempted from the requirements surrounding mandatory hotel quarantine. To date, the Minister has enacted regulations exempting transit passengers, certain essential workers, families returning to Ireland with children born abroad, fully vaccinated people, international sports people and those returning to Ireland who have travelled for unavoidable, imperative and time-sensitive medical reasons such as, but not limited to, undergoing cancer treatment abroad. Family members or carers of children born abroad or of people who are exempted for medical reasons are also exempted when travelling together, as are children or other dependants of fully vaccinated people. I support that.

Perhaps the Minister can assure the people of Ireland that he will continue to operate in such time-sensitive ways, because there are unintended consequences of legislation which will require an immediate response through secondary legislation. That is totally in the Minister's power. There are examples that we have not even thought about now which could get caught in this. I know the Minister will be alive to that. He does not want the courts trying to adjudicate on these matters. I wish the newly appointed future Chief Justice, Mr. Justice O'Donnell, well. The Government has nominated him and he will be a proponent and advocate of judicial restraint. It is not up to the Judiciary to tidy up legislation. The Judiciary does not like to go there. These matters should not be resolved in the courts. I am glad to see that, after an initial foray, common sense has broken out. I do not like to see people with such compelling cases having to resort to the High Court. However, that has not happened recently, and I commend the Minister on playing his part in ensuring those matters are kept to a minimum.

Finally, I wish the Minister well with the vaccination programme. I note with a wry sense of irony that when there is good news, real-time statistics are not available due to the cyberattack to give an uplift and morale boost to people. The statistics were so depressing for so many months and now the vaccination breakdown, which would have uplifted so many people, is not available to us. Hopefully, the statistics will be available soon. I commend the Minister and the Government on the great work being done on the vaccine roll-out.