Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for their contributions. I echo what Senator Byrne has said. It is an ill wind that never blows any good and it is great news and will give a lift to all Irish people, particularly rugby fans, to have Conor Murray as captain. I wish the whole team every success in the tour.

A number of colleagues have asked for a debate tomorrow on the reopening. I must apologise because I do not think it is possible as the schedule for tomorrow is already set and I am not sure I would get a rearranged schedule. However, the frustration is absolutely palpable this morning, not just in here but everywhere, be it in one's local shop or chatting with friends in a WhatsApp group or on any social media channels. There was a poll done last week and I think the country was relatively evenly divided on whether we should open up fast or be cautious. If that poll was taken this week a different response might be got. I really do wish our Cabinet colleagues making the decision tomorrow well. I am very glad I am not going to be one of those making the decision because one would be caught between a rock and a hard place. There is absolutely no doubt that our hospitality and tourism industry, and indeed our companies which are reliant on tourists coming here and tourists leaving, are really on their knees and probably can take no more. However, at the same time, we must be mindful. Having made every decision in the public's best interest for the last year it would be awful to see us slip at the very last hurdle.The Government is between a rock and a hard place but certainty is required and it would be better to get that as soon as possible. I acknowledge everybody's contributions on that issue. Senator Casey is right that it is like Groundhog Day. I fear that in the next few weeks we will be talking about the Delta plus variant. While NPHET has made a valuable contribution over the past year with its weekly and biweekly briefings, it would be mightily helpful and would not annoy people as much if its members went back to being advisers to Cabinet and did not give personal opinions on the airwaves every single day because it is driving people insane.