Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will share my time with Senator Dolan. There is no doubt we all went into this together but we did not all feel the effects in the same way. We did not all experience this pandemic equally and there is no doubt that despite what have been unprecedented supports from the Government for the hospitality industry, that sector has suffered immeasurable financial and other losses. Many of these businesses are family-owned and the people involved may have their whole lives mortgaged. Is it reasonable for us to give them hope of opening, which we did just after Easter, only for them to be gutted when that could not happen on 5 July in the way we all had hoped? These people are hurt and the Government must come forward with a solution that assists businesses in their opening while holding public health together. Our people must be protected as much as possible from the Delta variant while we have increasing numbers of people being vaccinated.

"Populism concocts enemies" is possibly the best phrase I have heard this week so I say "well done" to Senator Martin. It is exactly what is going on here and I regret that it has been brought into this House. It was also evident in the other Chamber. It is really a despicable way to respond to what is a fluid and frightening position. I am very proud to be part of a Government that makes decisions, although they are difficult and at times there are holes in the logic. We are grappling with that while making decisions for the people of Ireland, their health and their well-being. These are difficult decisions.

Each day brings shocking numbers like those we heard yesterday. How can anybody say we should be opening hospitality completely and throwing open the doors when over 1,000 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 yesterday? It would demonstrate absolute recklessness to do that. It is a disgrace to suggest it.