Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Everybody knows where I stand on the TRIPS waiver. I spoke about the issue at the pre-COP26 conference and in both our sessions here with Members of the European Parliament, MEPs. The EU needs to stand behind a TRIPS waiver. However, that is not what we are talking about here today. I completely understand that the Minister is here and that is why Senator Gavan brought up the issue but let us go back to what we are here to talk about because it is important. I feel for people who have a fear around the vaccine and feel something is being done to them by the Government. However, all of us here know that is not the case. We have an obligation, as legislators and politicians, to stand up against that kind of rhetoric and say that these are not powers that extend to everything. These powers will extend for a further three months and that is all. They are not forcing anybody to do anything. They are merely intended to protect front-line workers and those in the hospitality sector. We are giving more supports, and continuing supports, to the Garda. I am quite shocked, although I do not know why, at Sinn Féin representatives speaking out of both sides of their mouths. They are in favour of vaccines but they are not in favour of protecting those who are vaccinated. Human rights are not about us being able to do whatever we want; they are also about protection. Workers in the hospitality sector do not have an option but to work in that sector. They should be protected against those who put them in harm's way. That is fundamentally what is happening if people go into pubs, restaurants and so on when they are not vaccinated. We know it. We can see the statistics. The 14-day incidence rate has gone up even in the few days since I started researching this matter. It is stunning. If this was a year ago, we would have been shocked but we are almost becoming immune to it. We are in a serious situation. People are dying. The Minister has outlined that two thirds of those in ICUs are unvaccinated. This is a no-brainer. We must make sure that everyone in society is protected, even in instances where they do not want to be protected because that is ultimately what will protect our workers. It is the job of a government not to stand on the fence. A factually incorrect statement was made to the effect that the emergency measures are being indefinitely extended. How is a three-month extension indefinite? It simply is not. It is unfortunate that those sorts of terms are being used because it puts people into a situation where they feel fear.

Some of the arguments are ideological and that is unfortunate. Research has shown that of those who are against vaccines, 52% are on the right of the political spectrum and only 7% are on the left. I do not say that to put people into categories but people who have that fear need to be aware that they are sometimes being pushed into a belief that they should be afraid of vaccines by people who are coming from a very ideological place that those people would probably disagree with if they understood what was behind it. It is important to point that out. I have personal experience of the people who contact me and send constant emails fearmongering about the illegality of vaccines. They are often the same people who were against numerous other things. Unfortunately, we do have to categorise some of those people who are against vaccines and having any of these powers in place.

I share concerns, of course, and our job is to bring to light anything we feel is going beyond the reach of what we think is constitutional. Of course we need to do that, and Senator Ward, in particular, has raised issues about previous legislation. We were here late one Friday night discussing that issue and that is what this House is about. However, we are now talking about a three-month extension of powers. It is not allowing the Government to do whatever it wants. We are in the Oireachtas so when Senator Gavan says that this legislation is allowing the Minister and the Government to do whatever they want, that is not the case. We are voting on this.

Those are my few thoughts on the matter. I am supportive of these measures. Every time we look at extending restrictions and powers, we need to have the Minister here to explain, as is right. We should be allowed to freely raise our objections every time. We must end the factually incorrect statements and scaremongering-----