Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Moynihan for clearly setting out the issues behind this very important amendment. I talked to the Minister of State earlier about clarity of message. Let us be clear because we are seeing the external results of the internal communications. We need to be clear about what we are doing and considering here today. It is my understanding that we are talking about our citizens, our people, who want to return to the State. This is the major focus of this amendment.

I spoke earlier about the submission the Irish Council for Civil Liberties made to us with regard to the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021. There is a line jumping off the page which provides that "All restrictions on [the rights of Irish citizens] need to be grounded in strong evidence proving they are necessary, proportionate and constitute the most minimal interference with rights possible." That is a very powerful message and is clearly reflected in Senator Moynihan's amendment. The Senator is right and has made a very good case. I am very happy to support the amendment.