Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who spoke on these amendments. The public health measures are kept under constant review in order to take account of changing circumstances. The public health measures in place from time to time to suppress disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising some activities over others and protecting key societal interests. The Government has adapted measures to address the public health risk at a given time, in addition to taking account of learnings and emerging evidence, new variants and any specific contextual considerations.

The Minister is conscious of the impacts that the public health measures have had on our society. All regulations are prepared in consultation with the Attorney General and across Government in order to ensure that the impact on human rights and mental well-being is minimal and proportionate. In this evolving Covid-19 environment, the balance in terms of protecting public health and human rights is at the forefront of consideration and consultation.

Throughout the pandemic, Government decision-making on public health measures has been informed by public health, economic and social considerations, with inputs from across Government to understand and assess both the impacts of the pandemic and the impacts of the restrictions imposed to manage it. For example, in 2020, as part of the process set out in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, public health, economic and social impact assessments were prepared and published on gov.ie. The Government is aware of the impacts of the restrictions on businesses and on people's daily lives and has put in place a number of supports to assist and to address the impact. In those circumstances, I have to reject these amendments.