Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak briefly to this amendment. I want to respond because I cannot let some of the points made by Senator Keogan go unchallenged. The modelling is a new kind of method employed for a new disease. Modelling depends on human behaviour. Human behaviour differs from country to country and society to society. It is entirely incorrect to say that the modelling should be completely disregarded because it has been inaccurate. It is a moveable feast. When people see the modelling, they amend their own behaviours.

The reports from South Africa on the Omicron variant cannot be taken to be exactly as fact as to how it would happen here. This is because South Africa has a young population. Previous strains of Covid-19 were widespread and affected many people and because of that, many people have already had Covid-19. Therefore, when those people get Omicron, they are getting Covid-19 for the second time. Of course, that will be milder. We cannot take that and hope for the best.

I remember the dark days of last January and February. I know families that were impacted. I do not want to see that again this Christmas. We are living with Covid-19. My kids are going to school every day. I can go to the supermarket. I can meet my friend for a cup of coffee. I can come into work when I need to come in. I can work from home when I need to. People are going about their daily business. People are going for their routine medical health checks. Businesses are operating as best they can. We are living with Covid-19. That is what living with Covid-19 means.

On the point about Ministers rushing in to try to pass legislation, the situation changes rapidly.Nobody would suggest that we pass legislation way in advance or that the measures are not needed. Obviously, the Government is looking at the situation. It will only do something if it is absolutely necessary. It will not do it way ahead of schedule because it might not be necessary and because they are harsh measures that involve restrictions on our freedom. However, they are absolutely necessary.

The public is behind this. The Government has put in place financial supports for businesses that have been badly impacted by the restrictions. The country is doing the best it can. Bandying about old tropes that we have all heard a million times does not move this debate on one bit and does not help us to live with Covid.