Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House today. I support the idea of giving the Minister the option of extending the restrictions if necessary when the time comes. Certainly, we have all been through a very turbulent time. On the Order of Business earlier today, I made the point that in Limerick, as part of mental health week, they are floating white roses on the River Shannon on Friday to mark the lives of the 289 people who died from Covid in Limerick city alone. The fact is it is the job of the Minister and the Government to act in a responsible manner and to provide guidelines to help people along and to protect their lives and health. Therefore, I fully support the extension of the powers. When people go into a restaurant or any enclosed setting, they want to feel safe. The fact the restrictions were brought in was very welcome at the time. Certainly, they should be kept in place for as long as necessary.

I know there is a protest outside Leinster House today in respect of maternity services. I wish to raise that issue. Access should be granted to partners of women using maternity services. I know the Minister is committed to looking at the issue and dealing with it as it comes along. I wish to put that on the record.

I must say that I believe the Government has done a very good job in terms of vaccinations and protecting people as much as possible. I support the Minister's proposal that restrictions may be extended down the line.