Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Anyway, Miriam Lord might have a giggle about that on Saturday. That is a challenge to her.

The Minister is always very welcome here. It is great to see him here. He is the Tánaiste at the end of the day, and that is important, as is his being present to listen and engage. Communication is a two-way process. It is both internal and external. Sometimes we get lost communicating to each other in this little bubble in the Oireachtas, but the reality is that these are unprecedented times. We must follow the science and expert advice. Let us not rubbish the expert advice. Nobody here wants to close down anyone's business, nightclub or theatre but we must follow the science and advice.

I apologise for not being here earlier. I was at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. It is important to discuss communication. There has been some speculation on whether NPHET and other bodies will be closed down or restricted in their communication. I do not subscribe to that. It is important, however, that we have clarity of message because the problem is that we are getting mixed messages across government and business and from the health sector. People are right to call into question how we are communicating with the citizens outside this House. It is not an easy task. I do not believe or suggest the Government is trying to close down anyone, but the messaging must be consistent in its clarity. There should be no ambiguity. People are expecting clear and, in many cases, harsh messages in the next few days. They realise that tough decisions must be taken. On the whole, they are with the Government. To be fair, I believe they are. These are difficult times. I am aware of many businesses that are very grateful for the help and very appreciative of the rate waivers. This is important. The assistance is going to keep the businesses barely ticking over but they will hopefully be ready to kick up again and recapture some of their business, support and trade. That is important. Local authorities must pay their bills too and operate their municipal districts. That is important. Local authorities are being compensated through rates, so we need to get that message out.

My message is that we should keep the messages clear. Let us have consistency of message across the tripartite Government. That is a challenge in itself in a coalition Government. My final appeal is to spend more time focusing on youth unemployment, young people who have done so much, and young people who feel isolated and left aside because of the pandemic. They feel that some have suggested they were signing on for payments, ducking and dodging, and did not want to face work again. That is far from the truth for most of them. They want to be out working and to make a contribution. That is important to note. Young people have been left behind, however. These have been tough times for them. We must never lose sight of that.

I will not allow this opportunity, when we are talking about Covid, to pass without offering yet again a clear message of support to the health workers, the staff who work in our hospitals and services, put out the bins, push the trolleys and care for those who have fallen victim to the pandemic. The victims are sick and, in many cases, fighting for their lives. We owe a debt of gratitude to the staff who have worked in the health services on the back and frontlines for what they have done for our country. None of us in this room takes that for granted. None of us will ever forget. It must always be to the fore of our thoughts and good wishes. The staff in question have put their lives on the line for us.

I acknowledge what the Government has done in reviewing the position of undocumented people who have come to this country, sacrificed so much and left so much behind. Many of them are in our health services and have kept us going during Covid.

I thank the Tánaiste for his time and for engaging with the Members of the Seanad today.