Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is an important day. I also said this on Wednesday when the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, was in the House. In a way, it is a bit like Groundhog Day. Many people thought in March 2020 we would be out of Covid-19 by the summer or Christmas. We are here again on the edge of the following Christmas. It amazes me that the experts know everything. They can pontificate on everything. They can ride both horses. They are never wrong. They are always right. Go back to what it says in the newspapers this morning with regard to what the European Medicines Agency has stated. We are still in the dark regarding the new variant and its transmissibility, severity and immunity.These are the experts. These are the people who know the science. What Senator Boyhan said this morning is what we should all do. Follow the science and follow the expertise. Let us keep it simple. If I never agree with Senator Boyhan any more then I agree with him in that sentence. Follow the science and follow the expertise because everything else is conjecture, speculation and driving people into a frenzy. The national broadcaster should be held to account for the way in which it covers Covid-19. It is an absolute disgrace. Some mediator commentators and journalists should take a look in the mirror at the way in which they report and drive people up the hill and down. I say that genuinely. We have had furore and frenzy being driven into people by ill-informed commentary. Follow the science and follow the experts. That is a great line by Senator Boyhan.