Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will speak to amendments Nos. 4 and 5. Here again, we are talking about parliamentary oversight. We are trying to build in flexibility. That is why amendment No. 4 gives the Minister the option in circumstances where we have an urgent need to get approval for statutory instruments, to refer them to the Joint Committee on Health.

Amendment No. 5 certainly has merit. What we are asking for is a review of the functions and impact of the provisions of the legislation, including on human rights and mental well-being. That is something that we can all relate to. There has been a significant strain on families and communities as a result of Covid. It would be useful for parliamentary oversight to have that report. These are reasonable amendments and I commend them to the House.