Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As we are seeing an increase in the number of Covid-19-positive patients in hospital and intensive care units, we must consider the best approach to lifting the remaining restrictions before Friday of next week. I know that many people wish to continue going into bars and restaurants over the winter months, but the prospect of sitting beside unvaccinated groups in the absence of public health restrictions makes many people feel very uncomfortable and could limit business within the hospitality sector. Among constituents and business owners I have spoken to, there is a general consensus that retaining the use of digital Covid certificates during the winter months for entrance to cafés, bars and restaurants would be a smart idea.

It would provide peace of mind for customers and ensure that those who have enjoyed indoor dining over the past few months will continue to support their local hospitality businesses during the winter. The continuation of the use of digital Covid certificates would also act as an incentive for those still unvaccinated to go and get the vaccine. At the moment, a disproportionate number of those entering hospital with Covid-19 are from a small sector of the adult population that remains unvaccinated. While less than 10% of our population is unvaccinated, the group to which I refer is driving approximately 50% of all hospital admissions. We must ensure that public health is protected during the winter months and that people feel comfortable going into hospitality environments in order that business remains strong for cafés, restaurants and bars in the period ahead.

The digital Covid certificate system has worked extremely well to date. Business owners are familiar with the set-up and customers are now well used to presenting their certificates before they sit down. The continuation of the system is a win-win for customers and business owners alike, and will act as an incentive for people to go and get vaccinated. It is important to state that people have a choice of getting vaccinated or not. That is right and proper, and is the correct thing to do. However, we, as a Government, have a responsibility to protect the 93% of the population who have chosen to get vaccinated and be protected. It is important, over the winter months, that we protect those people so that they can have as normal a life as possible, albeit with some restrictions still in place. The digital Covid certificate is a key element of that. It supports businesses, because there are still many people who will not come back into those settings because they are still nervous. If we get rid of the certificate, it will increase their nervousness. I stress the need to continue with the use of the digital Covid certificate system, which has been in place for a number of months, after Friday of next week.