Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming into the House again. I want to ask a number of questions before talking more generally about the legislation. This is about the broader area of the hospitality and entertainment sectors and plans for reopening more generally. It is important to these groups that clarity is provided. There were plans that theatres, arts venues and other similar indoor entertainment venues would be able to allow up to 100 patrons entry in the coming weeks. I would be grateful for clarity on if or when that will be happening. There is an issue around when amusement arcades will be able to open, which the Minister will be familiar with from his experience with Bray, as I am with Wexford. I ask him to offer clarity on that. We are still awaiting clarity on drama camps, particularly indoor ones. The other significant concern is that the plan was always that from 5 August weddings could have up to 100 guests. I ask for clarity from the Minister on whether that will still proceed.

On the broader issue, this is not legislation that anybody wants to see being introduced. Nobody here wants this legislation and the sooner we achieve practically full vaccination of our population, the sooner we will be in a situation where we do not need this legislation. I keep hearing from those opposite that we need a plan. The Government's plan has been very clear, namely, we open things as safely as is possible.We started with schools, construction and other sectors of the economy and society. The important thing is that those premises can open safely and resume business. As Senator Casey stated eloquently, the last thing that businesses want is to reopen and have to shut down again. That would be a disaster for them and nobody wants to see that. The Netherlands opened its doors and is now having to reintroduce restrictions. This Government has a plan and it has worked so far.

In response to what Senator Mullen said, I must point out that we have had 5,000 deaths in this country. Each of those deaths represents an individual but the rate of mortality per 100,000 citizens is among the lowest in the world. If we had adopted some of the approaches that are being suggested by the Opposition, the rates of mortality would be much higher. Is that the approach that those opposite wanted us to follow?

No country has got everything right. People will recall that everyone was calling for us to follow the examples of Australia and New Zealand. Less than 10% of the population is fully vaccinated in those countries. There are big issues around their vaccination programmes. We do not hear those who are arguing for the Australia and New Zealand approach saying we should have followed their approach on vaccination. Every country has made mistake and this Government has made mistakes too. However, there has been a clear plan to which the Minister has stuck. He has been willing to take constructive criticism and to engage on it. We now have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. The vaccination programme is going exceptionally well. As Senator Maria Byrne remarked, hopefully we will be in a situation where all those people who are working in hospitality and wider society will be vaccinated in the coming weeks.

I am going to take on Senator Keogan, who has she suddenly started to express concern about young people. I raised in this House the impact that Covid was having on young people last November. Soon after that, the Senator was sneered at my concern about the lack of opportunity for young people to build relationships and so on. During that debate, the Senator also questioned the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine. The one thing I will say about the Senator is that she is consistent in her inconsistencies on this matter.

The Government has a plan. We do not want to be introducing this legislation but it is to allow things to reopen safely. I hope that everybody is vaccinated as soon as possible so we do not have to reply on this legislation.