Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The Minister is welcome to the House for the last hurrah of Covid measures, we hope. It seems like only yesterday that the legislation to which this motion refers was rushed through the House, all Stages in one sitting, with pre-legislative scrutiny having been waived. I opposed it then and oppose it now. I watched the motion being debated in the Lower House yesterday and was struck by the clear and candid summary of events by Deputy Connolly. We were told this legislation was essential to reopening. It was put through on a Government majority and, four months on, we have no clear picture of how it is operating and no numbers on compliance officers hired, emergency cessation orders handed out or compliance notices served. There has been no independent assessment of adherence to GDPR by businesses carrying out functions under the Act. However, we are again trotted into this Chamber to rubber stamp the extension of this outrageous Act because the Government wants it just in case.

On 5 October last year, there were 518 cases; this year, there were 1,124. On 5 October last year, not a single person in the world had been vaccinated; now, 7.4 million vaccines have been received in this country, with the 90% of the adult population mark passed in September. Aside from breakthrough cases which were expected in older persons and those with underlying conditions, the vaccines have largely succeeded in reducing the hospitalisation rate per thousand. This is reflected in the planned date of 22 October for the roll-back of Covid measures.

All of this begs the question of why we are here. The Act provides for an extension of any period up to three months. Why opt for the full three months? Why not match the sunset clause of the Act to the Government's chosen end date for the use of domestic vaccine certificates? Do we expect the Covid ghost of Christmas past to rear its ugly head again? If so, what modelling is that based on? Where was it published?Is it NPHET's minimal change modelling from last summer which predicted 2,300 cases per day? For those who can remember, that modelling was undertaken to provide scenarios to inform the Government's reopening of society. Minimal change meant outdoor dining remained closed to all. The Minister will remember the modelling as it was sent to him. The most pessimistic scenario projected 681,900 cases by the end of September, while the most optimistic scenario projected 81,000 cases. There were in fact 35,700 cases. The most optimistic scenario projected 165 deaths between the end of June and September. The actual figure for that period was just over 60. The data were widely inaccurate. This is NPHET's best case scenario versus the reality. That was certainly not the one that got the headlines, "Grim" and "Sobering". The Minister warned us that the biggest hurricane that had ever hit Ireland was coming. It was not true. It did not happen. I do not for one second believe the Minister was being disingenuous; he was simply being cautious. We cannot afford to be so cautious for caution comes at a price. When caution is based on such inaccurate data or, as in the case of this Act, no data at all, it becomes an impossible pill to swallow.

Let us for once recognise the reality of the situation. We need to send out the clear message to the public that the blunt instrument of lockdown will be put away for good and that the insidious practice of dividing society based on vaccination status will be likewise put to rest. I oppose the use of domestic vaccine certificates and I oppose this motion before the House today.