Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome to the House. I begin by referencing an article by Ms Caitlín Griffin that was published in theIrish Examineron 12 September: "1,346 cases of Covid confirmed as expert says mask-wearing is needed in primary schools". The one thing we have learned is that this pandemic or virus has a trajectory all of its own, as the Minister has said. I like Senator Keogan on a personal level but what we listened to in the House today is absolutely appalling. We are legislators, Members of the Oireachtas and parliamentarians who are entitled to have our views and interrogate the Government and Opposition about legislation, but let us do that based on science and facts. I ask Members to be careful and cognisant of the science and the facts in the use of language around this pandemic.

The fundamental thing we are all charged with, and the man sitting at the top of this Chamber, the Minister for Health, has taken a seal of office of which this is part, is to work to protect the public health of the nation, and to distil that down, that means the citizens of this country. We can disagree on many things, but Senator Clifford-Lee is correct that nobody in Government wants to come to this House with legislation making demands again of the people. I have had the privilege of being a Member of this House and the Lower House for 14 years. We have been through bank guarantees and tumultuous times in terms of social legislation, the economy and this pandemic. I believe I can say we all serve with one objective: to serve the people and to do good. That is why we are here today and that is what we are about. The vaccine programme has worked. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had had no vaccination programme? Senator Keogan and others should cast their minds to the world we live in today and the reimposition of restrictions and the reintroduction of social distancing and mask wearing in many parts of the world.

The challenge we face is vaccinating those in the developing world who are being left behind. There is a job work for the Government in terms of the vaccination programme around the world and, in particular, on the continent of Africa. We must be proactive, not just in words but in our deeds. To be fair to the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, he has done and is doing work, as is the Government, but we must ensure Ireland leads in that regard.

The Minister in his speech referred to members of An Garda Síochána and the need to continue with this legislation to ensure members of the Garda have the lawful basis to enter a licensed premises to ensure adherence to Covid-19 regulations. I appeal to the Minister for consideration to be given by the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, and by the Government to fast-tracking members of An Garda Síochána for receipt of the third booster vaccine. I say so for a number of reasons. I spoke last Monday at a meeting of the joint policing committee organised by Cork City Council. I am not asking for this to be populist but the reasons I do are, one, members of An Garda Síochána at this time of year are expected to go into licensed premises to ensure adherence to Covid regulations. Two, we are asking that there would be high visibility of members of An Garda Síochána on our high streets at this peak time of Christmas. Three, as part of their operations to combat drink and drug driving, gardaí will man checkpoints and engage with motorists and their passengers.I appeal to the Minister to ensure that the national immunisation advisory committee allows for members of the Garda, who are front-line workers, to be fast-tracked in the vaccination booster programme.

I am a member of the Joint Committee on Transport which yesterday had a good debate with a number of officials from across Departments. It is a source of concern that 100 people arriving into Dublin have been referred to members of the Garda for breaches of the Covid-19 regulations. What are members of the Garda going to do, those people having been referred to them? I believe there is a need to explain to people their obligations regarding travel under the Covid-19 regulations. There is also a need to explain to people what they must do before and on entering Ireland.

We have no certainty with this virus. Perhaps Senator Keogan is right that we will be back here in June, asking for this legislation to be extended. However, what is the alternative? Is it to allow people to die while we follow a herd immunity approach? I do not think that works. Our nearest neighbour has changed its policy again this morning. A number of Senators spoke, on the Order of Business, about the import that could have in the North of Ireland regarding the vaccine and the Covid certificate. We should stand up to that. The fundamental point the Minister has made today is one around which we should all rally. Vaccination works. People should get vaccinated because it helps to protect, preserve and save lives. I know the Minister cannot force people to take the vaccine and we do not want it to become mandatory. However, we do need to encourage people. I heard on "Morning Ireland" this morning that two vaccination centres in Ireland were over capacity and turning people away. A part of me thought it was great that was the case because it meant people were coming to get vaccinated. Could we use pharmacies, pharmacists and GPs more in the vaccination programme? We have seen that vaccination works. I wish the Minister well and thank him for being here.