Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I seem to be meeting him a great deal today. I welcome this legislation. We have been successful in regard to Covid-19 precisely because we have been cautious, we have followed public health advice and, by and large, the public have bought into and supported politicians, the Department of Health, the Minister for Health and the Government in terms of the leadership that has been shown by abiding by restrictions and accepting the vaccines.

It is a fact that Ireland is a world leader when it comes to Covid-19 vaccinations in that over 90% of our adult population are vaccinated. We are the envy of many countries throughout the world that cannot get their vaccination rates over 50%. Some countries would consider themselves to be successful on achieving a vaccination rate of over 70%. We are in the situation where over 90% of our adult population are vaccinated. This is proof that when the Irish people roll up their sleeves and get stuck in, Ireland is a world leader, as it has been in so many areas down through the years. Ireland is now a world leader in terms of dealing with a pandemic and a world health emergency. It has led the way in terms of the leadership shown by the previous Government and this Government, the former Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and the current Minister, Deputy Donnelly, in dealing with the pandemic. In fairness, throughout the country the public have been leaders as well in terms of how they have adapted to very difficult situations, including staying at home, working from home and through businesses closing their doors. Some businesses will never reopen. All of that was done because people wanted to save as many lives as possible.

We must always reflect on the lives lost. More than 5,000 people lost their lives to this disease and thousands more are sick as a result of it. Many thousands more might have died but for the coming together of various components in our battle to save lives and to reduce the risk as much as possible.

The Minister is aware of my concerns in regard to long Covid. I do not think we have dealt with it in the way we should. This is an evolving situation and a learning process in terms of the consequences of long Covid. I know the Minister has put together a high level group to address the issue, but I think it probably needs more attention and more resources. So many are suffering from long Covid. It is one of the legacies of the pandemic. We need to deploy the best possible medical resources and research to help those people to deal with long Covid and, it is hoped, if at all possible, to overcome it.

The ask in terms of the Act is very reasonable. I would have been happy to support a six-month extension. If it is necessary to extend it beyond 9 January, the Minister should not hesitate in coming to the House this side of Christmas to do that. It is important this legislative mechanism is in place in order that the Minister can act and move swiftly if necessary to do so. That he was in a position prior to last Christmas to act and move swiftly in terms of the reintroduction of restrictions saved many lives. It did not save all lives, but it did save many lives. The Minister needs to have that flexibility. He does not need to be looking over his shoulder in regard to the legislative framework and his powers to act when dealing with health in the public interest. As I said, if prior to Christmas this Act needs to be extended further, the Minister should by all means do it. We wish him well.

We are seeing much brighter days and we are all looking forward to 22 October, depending on what comes between now and then, but it is looking good. We can be reasonably positive and optimistic that, as we move towards Christmas, we will see a significant return to normality. I am sure the Leas-Chathaoirleach will agree it is great to be back in Leinster House, to meet people again and to see the self-service and Members' restaurants open and people somewhat returning to normality. That is reflected throughout the country. Those who are vaccinated have the confidence to return to work for a couple of days per week and many more will be returning on 22 October, all going well.

I hope the motion in respect of the legislation is agreed. There is no argument as far as I am concerned as to why it should not be. I wish the Minister well with it.