Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also congratulate our former colleague, Deputy Bacik. Persistence does, I hope, pay off and it is a message for all of us.

Today is 12 July and I wish the people on our island to have a happy and safe celebration of this day. It is an important day for the community. Last year celebrations were cancelled because the Covid-19 and this was respected and I hope that they proceed safely.

This weekend showed us that while progress is being made in some respects with a DUP city mayor attending our National Day of Commemoration, the First Minister and deputy First Minister attended a commemoration of the Battle of the Somme and many bonfires went off at the weekend without controversy, we still have a long way to go. We also saw the burning of Irish flags and other Irish or Catholic symbols and images of people who support the protocol over the weekend. That is not a celebration of culture. It is very disappointing for those people who respect different cultures. Many people on this island work hard to do that in an inclusive way and that behaviour should be condemned without any excuses.

The other issue I raise that relates to northerners is parity of vaccines. I am glad that fully vaccinated northerners may not be left in the cold when it comes to indoor dining. There is still confusion over the digital Covid-19 certificate. The North has its own vaccine passport and there is a question regarding how this will be aligned. From 19 July, Ireland will broadly align itself with the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from third countries and unless there is an emergency brake applied, no testing and quarantine will be necessary. However, there is still confusion for people, in particular, who live and work in the South and who got their vaccines in the North. They may have lived in the South for decades and they live cross-Border lives, as we want them to. Some are employed in this building. They may or may not carry Irish passports and that should not matter. They need clarity and reassurance at the moment and specific communications because they still want to see their loved ones and families in the EU. In many cases, their housemates, co-workers, the people they dine with, their travel buddies and even their families may have the digital Covid-19 certificate. It is good to see the recognition of vaccines for indoor dining but we should aim for parity of vaccines on our wee island. I thank the Cathaoirleach.